Castleisland’s hope dashed by ’Collig

MUNSTER JUNIOR LEAGUE DIVISION 2 Balincollig 41 Castleisland 15

CASTLEISLAND’S slim hopes of promotion to the top tier of Munster Junior rugby were firmly crushed when Balincollig put seven tries past them at the Cork venue last Sunday. Castleisland travelled without a number of their footballers and with injury and suspension also taking it’s toll ,up to 10 first team players were absent.

It was a perfect day for rugby in Ballincollig with sunshine and a decent dry sod and both teams set out their stall to play open attacking rugby. Unfortunately for the visitors the home side exposed gaps out wide in their defence time and again, and punished them to the full scoring seven tries in the process.

Castleisland did score a god try in what was a forgettable first half for them, when Kieran Downey touched down after a good break from Connie Reynolds. That was as good as it got for them in the first period as Ballincollig took a 25-5 lead in at the break.

Castleisland got a good start to the second half when Sean Leahy went over for a try to bring the score to 24-10. Order was restored soon afterwards however as Ballincollig, with their full back outstanding, ran at the overstretched Castleisland back line at every opportunity. Four more tries followed for the home side but Eric McSweeney got a consolation touchdown with time running out.

Castleisland are now in fifth place in the table on 28 points and with just two games left to play will remain in J2 for next season.

Killarney 19 Muskerry 0

KIILARNEY produced a superb performance and scored three tries to defeat Muskerry in their home patch last Sunday.

Kllarney scrum-half Paul O’Sullivan was in rich scoring form and touched down for three tries in the 12th, 39th and 60th minutes of the game. Brendan Fuller was also accurate with the boot and converted two of the tries. The win sees Killarney remain in 12th place in the J2 table.