Defeat confirms Kanturk’s relegation

AS the Munster junior leagues and cups head towards to their inevitable conclusions the main winners and losers are almost all evident by now.

The junior sides from north and mid Cork have all pushed the boat out throughout the current season and while all didn’t get what they desired, most got what they deserved.

Mallow’s demolition of all before them in Division 2 paved the way for one of the best seasons in the club’s history with a berth in Division 1 for next season secured.

The boys in green were magnificent throughout 2018/19 and should rightly be crowned the stand-out team of the year.

Kanturk 26 St Senan’s 29

IN the top tier there was one game with a local interest last weekend and that was the clash of Kanturk and St Senan’s to decide who would drop down to Division 2 and who would live to fight another day at the top table.

Kanturk came into this one with nothing short of a mountain to climb. The boys from Knocknacolon had battled all season with little reward on the points table however a do or die game with the Saints was something, that for a long time looked highly unlikely – that said, the requirements were onerous on the home side. Kanturk needed to win, they needed at least four tries and as if that wasn’t enough they also needed to ensure that the side sitting one place above them in the table didn’t get anything from the fixture.

Probably for the first time this season we saw Kanturk on the march. We saw a side not afraid to throw the ball around when necessary while also more than happy to battle up the middle for the hard yards. Kanturk put it up to Senan’s and for long periods the away side didn’t have the answers.

Kanturk really were great on the day however they also showed their frailties at the back and not for the first time they left their opponents in for scores that on this occasion would ultimately prove fatal.

Right from the off the home side looked up for this one and considering what was at stake it should be no surprise that a side that played AIL just a few years ago rose to the challenge. Kanturk achieved goal number one on Saturday and that was securing the win. Number two was also rattled off in impressive style with tries from Denis O’Donoghue, Conor Cremin, Eoghan O’Sullivan, Conor O’Sullivan and one penalty try notching up the bonus point win. Cremin also did his bit with the boot as he bagged a brace of conversions but unfortunately it was in the area of denying the visitors some points that the Duhallow side ultimately came up short.

St Senan’s may have come away without the win but credit to the Clare side they did bag two points (a losing bonus point and one for four tries) which sees them retain their place in the top flight.

Two tries from Warren Kelly along with touchdowns from Fernando Gallant and Aidan Dwyer meant that Senan’s would stay up while the boot of Craig Airey made sure of the losing bonus point with three successful conversions.

Kanturk will ply their trade in Division 2 next season and will look to bounce right back to a division it would have appeared they were much more suited to however they will need to improve all over the pitch if that quick return is to be secured at the first time of asking.

MUNSTER J-LEAGUE DIVISION 2

Thurles 6 Charleville 6

THERE was just one other fixture on the cards last weekend with Charleville heading to Tipperary to take on a Thurles side that have failed to light up this campaign for their fans. Thurles looked to have avoided relegation (just) and really have been less than impressive this season while Charleville have had one of their best campaigns in years finishing well in the top half of the Division 2 table.

The visitors were looking to take all the spoils on offer here as it would have moved them one spot ahead of fellow north Cork side Fermoy but on the day they were only able to draw with the home side after 80 minutes of tough, uncompromising but low scoring fare.

On the day this one was decided by four penalties, two apiece, with Jesse Smith raising the flags on two occasions for the men in red while John Lillis slotted home a pair for his side.

The final score of 6-6 was a fair reflection of what happened on the day and while both sides would have wanted more, all concerned will have one more chance to impress on their last league fixture of the year which is down for decision on March 24 next.

The bank holiday weekend will afford all players one final break before the final push to see out various cup and league fixtures in subsequent weeks.