Important wins for local rugby clubs in J-Leagues
TWO top of the table clashes involving two north Cork sides dominated the weekend’s junior rugby programme from a local standpoint as both Mallow and Mitchelstown went in search of dominant positions in the J2 and J3 leagues respectively.
Mallow went into last weekend’s home clash with second placed Clonakilty looking to preserve the best record in all three divisions after winning their opening five clashes while collecting winning bonus points in all five contests.
Last weekend was always going to be a tougher day at the office as Clon had their own genuine expectations of leading the way in the J2 after their own very impressive start to the 2018 campaign.
Tries from David Breen and Conor O’Donovan which were both successfully converted by Breen had Mallow leading by 14-0 at half time. Clonakilty came firing back after the break and dominated the second 40. A try from Ger McCarthy which was converted by Eoghan Deasy saw this one go down to the wire but Mallow held on for a hugely significant win.
Mallow will head to Youghal next weekend looking to make in seven from seven against a side that currently sit seventh in the J2 table.
Fermoy have continued to impress since the start of this season and maintained their fourth position in the J2 table after their fifth win in seven; this time it was a hard fought but well-deserved win away to Waterford City. Fermoy’s win was hugely impressive from start to finish and the bonus point collected opened up a six-point gap on the side currently sitting in fifth which may prove very important come season’s end.
James O’Driscoll was the hero of the hour for Fermoy with a brace of tries with Darren Hartnett adding to the Deise side’s pain with the north Cork side’s third. A penalty try rounded off what was great day for Fermoy with Dylan Lacey tagging on one conversion.
Fermoy get to enjoy a wellearned break next weekend before heading back into action the following weekend at home to Fethard & District. The visitors currently sit eight in the table and have shown plenty to suggest that they are well capable of causing problems for the home side but if Fermoy want to stay in contention with the sides at the summit then a win here is not just desirable but imperative.
Charleville have had a difficult season to this point but a brilliant win over Castleisland with a bonus point secured will go a long way to securing the side’s status in the J2 for another year while also keeping them in the running for a promotion place, even if that seems to be a long way off right now.
Tries from Sean O’Connor, Kieran O’Connell and Cathal Finn with Ger Sheehan bagging a personal brace did all the damage for the victors with Jessie Smith adding to his growing reputation with two conversions. Charleville’s dominance up front was also rewarded with a penalty try as Charleville powered to what was an emphatic result.
Castleisland showed they had a scoring threat with a try from William Nolan however that was to be as good as it would get for the Kerry side that fall to 11th in the table.
A trip to Thurles in the league is next on the cards for Charleville however that game is two weekends away – a great time to take stock for a side that have shown plenty so far to that there is a serious scoring threat within the camp.
The aforementioned Thurles have shown they are well up for any test thrown at them this season which was emphasised last weekend when they saw off a Muskerry side that had plenty to smile about to that point.
The final score was 13-11 at Loughtagalla with Conor O’Hagan and Mark Cummins scored the all-important tries for the victors with John Lillis slotting over what turned out to be an all-important penalty. Muskerry showed they have plenty to offer going forward and hit back with a try from Cathal Dennehy with Jonathan Buckley slotting over two penalties but on the day the Ballyanly side will have to be happy with a losing bonus point.
Cobh Pirates will provide the next challenge for Muskerry in two weeks’ time and with the visitors currently sitting firmly in the relegation battle at present Muskerry will be favourites to take the spoils here – keeping them firmly in the hunt for a promotion place to the J1.
In that J1 Kanturk’s season continues to be a struggle as they fight to retain their status as a J1 side. This time it was title chasing Kilfeacle that caused the damage with an impressive 22-0 away win at Knocknacolon. Tries from James Hogan, Cian Ryan and Jack McLoughlin did the damage with Brodie Flannery bagging a brace of conversions and on penalty.
Kanturk will look to improve in the coming weeks however second placed Richmond are next up for the Duhallow boys with the away trip likely to be one of the toughest fixtures of the year.
In the J3, Mitchelstown took on Tralee in the top of the table clash looking to follow Mallow as one of the only sides with a 100% winning record and while the north Cork side came in full of confidence they were tamed by the Kerry men who take over at the top of the table from the vanquished side.
Tralee defeated Mitchelstown 17-7 in the top of the table clash in Division Three at Mitchelstown.
Fearghal Ó’Nuallain and Eoin O’Carroll were the try scorers for Tralee with Mitchelstown having to rely on a penalty try for their only major score.
An away trip to Dunmanway is next on the cards for Mitchelstown who fell back to fourth in the table after Sunday’s loss. The Cork side ware still well in the hunt however as they still have a game in hand on the side that replaced them at the summit of the table. Exciting times ahead in the J3.