Charleville salvage losing bonus point
ANOTHER major success in the Aviva Stadium over the weekend confirms that Irish rugby is on a high and means that Ireland have managed to beat all the southern hemisphere teams in a calendar year a feat that at one time would have seemed impossible is fast becoming what is expected as Joe Schmidt masterminds another familiar result – an Ireland win.
When one considers the list of retirements that the country has faced in recent times, influential World class players like Brian O’Driscoll, Paul O’Connell and Ronan O’Gara, it would be fair to assume that a period in the doldrums was on the way however nothing could be further from the truth as Ireland continue to produce from the seemingly never ending assembly line that is Irish rugby.
Saturday’s win may not be seen in the same historic light as the one against the All Blacks three weeks earlier however the manner with which this win was achieved should make it equally as important as that triumph in Chicago.
Ireland impressed early on, were put on the back foot for all of 30 minutes but rallied well to ultimately see off the side ranked three in the World. They lost Trimble, Kearney and Payne in the first half yet continued to fight what looked like a superior, more powerful side. Ireland should be immensely proud of their achievements in 2016. The first side since England in 2003 to beat Austraila, New Zealand and South Africa in the same year. Irish Rugby has officially arrived. Look out the Six Nations next year.
The international players will now make their way back to their respective provinces for a very busy winter schedule with teams competing in the Champions Cup and the Pro 12 from now well into the New Yea.
Back in the world of junior and senior club rugby, Kanturk RFC as usual flew the flag for the locality at senior level.
This weekend the men in green had the difficult task of heading to Armagh to take on top of the Division 2C table, Rainey RFC at Hatrick Park.
Never likely to be an easy prospect for the Duhallow side, this one went the way you might expect as Kanturk left the field on the wrong side of a 26-5 score-line.
The loss sees Kanturk continue to prop up the table however one would expect some movement in that regard as the games ahead will surely be easier than this one.
Next up is a home tie with Boyne at Knocknacolon. This really is a must win game for the home side as Boyne sit just one place above them in ninth. If Kanturk can take the spoils here they will move ahead of their opponents with eight placed Seapoint also well in their sights.
There was a near full schedule in the Munster Junior League last weekend with local teams in the J1, J2 and J3 all competing to improve their respective league positions.
Muskerry were the only local side in J1 action however they came unstuck against an impressive Clonmel side 24-5. Stephen Hallissey touched down for the Cork side however they were never in danger of winning this one Muskerry.
Muskerry’s next outing is a home tie with Limerick side Richmond. This will, as one would expect at this level, be another tough test for the mid Cork men however the win is far from an improbability for the home side. Muskerry will be keen to secure something from this one in order to take up a more secure residency in mid table.
Waterpark hammered Mallow in the J2 last Sunday and in so doing cemented their grip on the table, 41-10. Brian Henry was impressive for Mallow with a brace of tries however this was just not their day.
Mallow will take to the field with home advantage next time out against Limerick side Presentation. Both sides are currently vying for mid table safety after slow enough starts to the J2 league. Presentation will bring another tough test to St Joseph’s Road this weekend however Mallow really do need to up their game, particularly at home.
A losing bonus point was as much as Charleville could muster last weekend as they lost out to Thurles by 17-13. Gavin Kelleher grabbed Charleville’s only try with try with Michael O’Flynn adding the conversion and two penalties.
Charleville are on the road next Sunday with St Mary’s hosting. Charleville have not shown well in their opening games and need to get their season off to a belated start however St Mary’s are still in with a very good chance of gaining one of the two promotion spots so they will be in no mood to show any sympathy to the north Cork side.
Dungarvan took down Fermoy by 20-8 at the Deise side’s home venue and in turn put a huge dent in Fermoy’s chances of gaining promotion this campaign. David Hickey stared for the victors with all their scores while John McCarthy bagged a try for Fermoy while Eddie O’Connell kicked a penalty.
Fermoy will entertain Killarney this Sunday afternoon with both sides needing the win for different reasons. Killarney have been poor so far this season and need to elevate themselves u the table fast while Fermoy are well in the hunt for a promotion spot but can’t afford to lose ground on the other competing sides.
Mitchelstown stay in the J3 hunt after they recorded a good win over Fethard 19 – 8. The win was no more than the Cork side deserved as they battled all the way to the finish.