The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Munster title for Listowel girls
MUNSTER U-18 GIRLS CUP FINAL Listowel 26 Carrick-Waterpark 22
LISTOWEL are the 2018 Munster Cup champions after a thrilling win over a strong Carrick-Waterpark outfit under the Annacotty lights last Friday night. Carrick-Waterpark are the current 2018 league champions and were sure to provide Listowel with a stern test. It was Listowel’s 26th competitive game of the season and with 25 wins it has been a year to remember for the North Kerry club.
Listowel started well and took an early 7-0 lead when some excellent rucking from Muireann Kennelly led to a try from Aine Enright which was converted by Muirne Wall. Carrick-Waterpark responded straight afterwards and scored a try of their own to make it 7-5.
Listowel continued to dominate however and after Rebecca Reilly sliced through the Carrick-Waterpark defence her offload found Meabh Carmody who went over for their second try, which was once again converted by the impressive Wall, to see them take a healthy 15-5 lead in at the break.
Listowel continued to dominate in the second half with Tara O’Connor, Mary Murphy and Shauna Mulvihill carrying well for the victors. Some good ball retention from Muireann Kennelly and Sarah Hunt saw Muirne Wall get in on the try scoring act when she scored a fine try after running half the length of the field. Wall converted her own try to leave the score at 21-5. Carrick-Waterpark began to hit a purple patch of their own and scored a converted try.
Listowel replied well, and Carmody went over for her second try of the game to seal the title for Listowel. Carrick-Waterpark did strike for a late try but it was too little too late as Listowel were deservedly crowned 2018 Munster Cup champions.
MUNSTER U-16 PLATE GROUP 1 Castleisland 12 Bandon 12
CASTLEISLAND secured a very credible draw against unbeaten table toppers Bandon at the Crageens last Saturday last. Short a number of regulars for a variety of reasons, all players present on the day gave 100% in an excellent team performance.
Castleisland started very well but their dominance wasn’t reflected on the scoreline. Bandon scores two tries in quick succession, with one converted to lead 12-0 against the run of play at the break. A well-taken try early in the second half from scrum half Mark Hickey got the Island back in the game.
Continuous pressure saw Brian Culloty crash over for a five pointer with David Dillion adding the extras with an excellent kick to secure a well deserved 12-12 draw.
Castleisland captain Conor Kerins gave an inspirational performance while Eric McCarthy was excellent in the pack. Jonathan Kerins played well on his first starton his first start as well as Aaron O’Connor on the wing.
Castleisland are away to Cork Constitution on Bank Holiday Monday in the quarter-final of the competition.
MUNSTER U-16 CUP GROUP 2 Killarney 0 Nenagh Ormond 5
KILLARNEY came agonisingly close in their final U-16 cup game against Nenagh Ormond in a game that was played in poor underfoot conditions in Aghadoe. The first opening half was evenly contested with the only score of the game coming after a line out scramble just five minutes from half time after the Nenagh Ormond no.8 finished in the corner.
Killarney restarted well and played out most of the second half in Nenagh territory, but the visitors tackled very aggressively and try as they might, the home side could not furnish the winning score.
Impressive for Killarney were Rob Nealon, Jack O’Connell, Adam McSweeney and James Kennelly.