The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
The best coverage of all the local rugby action
page 51
WEST MUNSTER U14 LEAGUE Rugby Corca Dhuibhne 15 Castleisland 25
CASTLEISLAND overcame the wet and windy conditions in Ballydavid to overcome a spirited Corca Dhuibhne side last Saturday. Castleisland did most of the damage playing with the wind in the 1st half and had tries from Podge Brosnan, Patrick Fitzgerald and Alan Kerins, Corca Dhuibhne fought back well in the second half and scored 3 tries of their own from Mikey Devine, Jimi Fenton and Rian O’Sullivan. Castleisland were not to be outdone however and further tries from Paddy Howard and Mark O’Connor along with a Donal Daly conversion sealed the win.
Abbeyfeale 43 Killorglin 26
KILLORGLIN trailed by 17-14 at half time with Derry O’Sullivan helping himself to 2 tries which were expertedly converted by Shane O’Connor. O’Sullivan completed his hat trick at the start of the second half to put Killorglin into a 19-17 lead. The bigger Abbeyfeale side kept asking questions of Killorglin’s defence ,and they scored four tries without reply in a ten minute period to seal the result. To their credit the Killorglin team finished strongly with a converted try from Donncha Crowley, and could possibly have had more with better use of possession. There were eye catching performances from half backs Colin Griffin and Shane O’Connor, while Ben O’’Dwyer was lively in the pack.
MUNSTER U16 CONFERENCE 2 Kanturk 0 Castleisland 43
IN form Castleisland continued their winning ways with a comprehensive win over a very young Kanturk side in a game played in heavy rain and testing underfoot conditions. A converted try by Eric McCarthy saw Castleisland take an early lead. David Dillon soon added a second with an superb team effort. Matthew O’Connor then touched down for a third and Castleisland took a 17-0 lead into the half time break.
The second half saw a continuation of Castleisland’s dominance. Jason Brosnan scored on the resumption,with Tadgh O’Shea adding another try soon afterwards. Brian Culloty then scored two excellent tries, with the second row showing great pace for his touchdowns. David Dillon added three conversions in this half giving Castleisland a comfortable 43 0 win. Newcomer Danny Riordan was excellent on the wing for Castleisland.
Listowel 12 Killarney 48
THE scoreline does not reflect the intensity of this closely fought contest played in poor conditions in Listowel on Saturday. Killarney started brightly and a Thomas Clifford offload resulted in a Donnchadh Grealy try from the opening play. The first half ebbed and flowed with Listowel’s powerful pack contrasting with a more expansive approach from Killarney. At the half time break the visitors had forged a 19 - 5 lead through a breakaway try from fullback Gary Randles, and a superbly crafted team try finished by second row Sam Casey.
The Listowel reply came from a good try from Murtie Moriarty. Killarney introduced Cian Murphy to the out-half slot and he controlled the game in the second half. Killarney made sure of the win with early tries from Evan Mannix and Gary Randles. Listowel bravely replied with a seven pointer of their own with a try from Jerome O’Rourke converted by Ethan O’Connor. Killarney were not to be out done however, and added two further tries from Liam Randles and Cian Murphy. It was an impressive display from Killarney with Matt McAuliffe, Brendan O’Sullivan and Padraig Talbot their standout performers.
MUNSTER U18 CONFERENCE 2 Listowel 15 Castleisland/Abbeyfeale 29
Two early tries from Mark McCarthy set Castleisland/Abbeyfeale on their way, and with Shane O’Connor adding a conversion, they led by 12-0 with 20 minutes gone. Listowel fought back strongly with Aodhan McKenna and Aaron Smith touching down for the home side. Castleisland/ Abbeyfeale finished the first half on top and Sean Bates scored an excellent try after a good drive off a scrum. Playing conditions continued to dis-improve in the second half but credit to both sides who tried to play attacking rugby. Sean O’Connell scored a good try for Castleisland/Abbeyfeale which was duly converted by Joseph Sheehy, but the Listowel reply was instant with Elliot Griffin touching down for the home side. Moss O’Callaghan had the final say for Castleisland/Abbeyfeale however, and his unconverted try sealed the win against a much improved Listowel outfit.
South Kerry 23 Charleville 0
SOUTH Kerry started well and were 11 points ahead in first fifteen minutes. Charleville came back into the game and there were no more scores until the last ten minutes when South Kerry scored two tries to pull away. It was a great performance by the home team with their tries coming from Jack Hallissey, Aaron Houlihan and Darragh Fitzgerald with 2 penalties and one conversion kicked by the excellent Jack Evans.
MUNSTER U18 GIRLS CONFERENCE C Abbeyfeale 10 Listowel 13
LISTOWEL’S winning run continues after a hard fought win against a very tough and physical Abbeyfeale side. Muirne Wall was again in excellent form for Listowel and her try settled the away side after Abbeyfeale had put some serious pressure on the Listowel defence. Wall added a penalty soon afterwards and with Aine Enright adding another try in the second half, Listowel held out for an excellent win.
MUNSTER U15 GIRLS CONFERENCE C Listowel 10 Abbeyfeale 12
LISTOWEL fought hard until the final whistle but Leanne Smith’s 2 try performance wasn’t enough to see them defeat a strong Abbeayfeale side. Listowel can take heart from another improved performance, with a lot of newcomers to the team starting to settle in well.