Tralee women beat Thurles as men ship seven tries to same opposition

MUNSTER JUNIOR LEAGUE DIVISION 2 Thurles 51 Tralee 7

FOLLOWING their comprehensive victory over Castleisland last weekend, the expected kick on from Tralee never materialised and they suffered a demoralising seven-try loss away to mid table Thurles last Sunday. Tralee trailed by 24-7 at half time, but failed to add any further scores, whilst Thurles hit them for five second half tries. Ben O’Neill scored Tralee’s try and added the conversion.

Tralee remain four places from the bottom in the Division 2 table and face a must win home tie against seventh placed Charleville next Sunday.

Castleisland 13 Fethard 13

Castleisland finally got some points on the board after a battling home draw against fellow strugglers Fethard. The hosts were the better side throughout the game but failed to convert a number of chances that may have given them outright victory.

Brian Leonard scored a try for Castleisland which Joe Sheehy converted and the fly half also added two penalties. Josef O’Connor converted Thomas Murphy’s try for Fethard and kicked two penalties.

The result sees Castleisland remain rooted to the bottom of the Division 2 table and their next league fixture is a daunting away tie to second from top Dungarvan on November 24th.

MUNSTER JUNIOR LEAGUE DIVISION 3 Killarney 12 Mitchelstown 15

Killarney suffered a major blow to their promotion hopes when they lost at home to Cork visitors Mitchelstown last Sunday. The game was played in very testing conditions with a strong wind and rain ensuring that errors were the order of the day, although both sides attempted to play expansive rugby wherever possible.

The game could have gone either way but in the finish it was Mitchelstown that made fewer mistake and left with the win. John Evans and Davy Sheehan were Mitchelstown’s try scorers and Pa Magee added a conversion and a penalty. David Howard scored two tries for Killarney and

Paudie Sheahan converted one.

Corca Dhuibhne 5 Waterford City 14

Corca Dhuibhne’s recent bad run of results continued when Waterford City put them firmly to the sword at home last Sunday. With a number of players unavailable for a variety of reasons it was always going to be a tough task for the west Kerry side, and the visitors took full advantage of their woes with a two-try performance that keeps their promotion prospects a firm boost.

Corca Dhuibhne’s cause wasn’t helped by a first half sin binning as their disciplinary woes continue to haunt them.

Andrew Condron and Killian Power scored tries for Waterford and Aaron Foskin converted both. Brian Devine scored a try for the home side. Corca Dhuibhne remain second from bottom in the Division 3 table and their next league action is an away fixture against Scariff on November 24.

WOMEN’S MUNSTER LEAGUE Thurles 3 Tralee 15

The Tralee ladies continued their winning streak with an excellent away win over Thurles last Sunday. A try on the stroke of full time from Ashleigh Sheehy sealed the win for the away side after a battling display full of determination and skill.

The first half was a pretty even affair with both sides defences on top, although Thurles did take a narrow 3-0 lead in at the half time break. Tralee began the second half in determined fashion and their captain Anna Murphy struck for their first try straight after half time with Laoise O’Driscoll making no mistake with the conversion.

O’Driscoll added a penalty soon afterwards to push Tralee 10-3 ahead. Tralee lived on their nerves for a period thereafter but Sheehy made sure of their victory with her last second try.

MUNSTER CLUB U-16 CONFERENCE 2 Newcastle West-Estuary 17 Chorca Dhuibhne 12

The game started badly for Corca Dhuibhne as Newcastle West Estuary struck for two early tries to give them a firm foothold on the game. Corca Dhuibhne didn’t let the early setbacks unnerve them and soon settled down to dominate the game. Some excellent play from the awsay sides forwards led to a good try from Jack O’Neill on the stroke of half time.

Both sides went at the second half with gusto and the action was end to end. Corca

Dhuibhne captain Odhran O Slataire struck for a good try but Newcastle West Estuary replied in kind to leave a five-point gap between the teams. Corca Dhuibhne tried with all their might to get an equalising try but a steadfast Newcastle West Estuary defence held firm.

It could be argued that the heavy pitch didn’t suit the fleet footed Corca Dhuibhne backs on the day. Robbie Sheehy Mikey Devine, Josh Brennan,Riain O’Sullivan and Jeaic O’Neill were best for Corca Dhuibhne.

REPRESENTATIVE ACTION

A brilliant late try from Andrew Conway helped Munster to their fifth victory in six Guinness PRO14 games at Thomond Park on Saturday evening. CJ Stander, man of the match Rory Scannell, and Conway, touched down for the province, with JJ Hanrahan kicking a conversion and a penalty and Tyler Bleyendaal adding one conversion.

Worryingly for Munster, JJ Hanrahan picked up a hamstring injury in the first half and had to be replaced. Hanrahan has been showing great form of late and was in prime position to start away to Osprey’s in the Champions Cup next Saturday. As of yet it is unclear how serious the injury is, and the Munster medical staff will be working with the Currow man over the next few days.