Mallow RFC get season off on winning note
AFTER romping through the Munster Junior League Division 2 last season Mallow are back where they feel most comfortable, sitting at the top of the league table, but this time they lead Division 1 after the first round of action.
DIVISION 1
Mallow 26 Clanwilliam 10
THE Backwater Valley side took up where they left off in the last campaign beating a Clanwilliam side that started well but just ran out of steam as the men in green came rolling through.
The home side had their work cut out for them as Clanwilliam began in strong fashion. Mallow’s defence held firm against a very strong breeze in the first half with Chris O’Regan, Hugh Keena, Ronan McCarthy and Brian Henry really putting their bodies on the line to hold the visitors at bay, however at the 40-minute mark, Clanwilliam had still opened up a 10-0 lead through a Gavin Downey try which was converted by Niall Leahy who also added a penalty.
On the resumption Mallow dug out a foothold in the game with Mike O’Flynn orchestrating proceedings at out-half and within five minutes of the restart, thanks to a perfectly positioned Flynn Garryowen, Mallow were back in the tie. Clan failed to gather the kick and David Breen raced through to boot the ball ahead before being dragged down just short of the line however Gonzalo Perez was quick to arrive and powered over the whitewash from close range for his first try in Mallow colours and the home side’s first try of the Division 1 league campaign.
Shortly afterwards Mallow struck again with Perez again making inroads inside the opponents 22 before offloading to Mike Lenihan who set up Owen Glynn for Mallow’s second five pointer. Jimmy Glynn added the extras and Mallow were clear by two.
With the wind in their sails the newly promoted outfit were buzzing with the bench adding huge impetus - highlighted by the impacts of David Walsh, Peter Cosgrave, Sean Hannon, Rory Murphy and Timmy Fitzgerald with the latter powering through from 10 meters to score Mallow’s third.
Huge celebrations were to follow as Mallow recorded their first bonus point win thanks to a Conor O’Donovan try on the wing. A fantastic start to the season for the newcomers to Munster’s top division.
Mallow will hit the road this weekend to face an Abbeyfeale side that also started with a win last week when they saw off Galbally. It’s a big weekend for both sides with the victor likely to be top come day’s end.
DIVISION 2
Castleisland 3 Muskerry 60
IN the J2 there is significant interest this season from a local rugby standpoint with Charleville, Kanturk, Fermoy and Muskerry all plying their trade in the middle tier of provincial club rugby.
The 2018/19 campaign was far from a roaring success for Muskerry RFC last season however this time round things seem to have started well as the Ballyanly boys romped to a hugely impressive demolition of Kerry side Castleisland by 60-3.
Travelling away is never an easy proposition at this level by the boys in blue managed to make short work of the home side with eight tries while holding the Kingdom men to just a penalty in reply.
Joe Treacy was the star man on the day with a hat trick of tries with fellow mid-Cork men Mark Jones, Brian McCarthy, Pat Rourke, Conor Smith, and Ciaran O’Connor all getting in for their own personal moments of glory.
Scoring so many tries will always lead to extra shots at goal for the kickers and at Muskerry that responsibility fell to Robert Cahill and credit to him he didn’t disappoint.
Cahill landed seven conversions while also picking up two penalties in what was a hugely impressive display of kicking.
The home side had to console themselves with just one successful kick which came for the boot of Joseph Sheehy – but this one was done and Muskerry lead the way in the middle tier of Munster Junior Rugby.
Old Christian’s will bring a much more solid challenge when they come to Ballyanly this weekend after their narrow, but deserved opening win over Kinsale in the game of last weekend.
Kanturk 9 Charleville 5
LOCAL derbies don’t come much more intriguing than the clash of Charleville and Kanturk. A couple of years ago there would have been three divisions between these sides but after a few tough years for Kanturk and a promotion for Charleville the sides now face each other in the J2 and last weekend that manifested itself in a hard, uncompromising, tight league clash.
Knocknacolan was the venue for this one and despite plenty endeavour and skill, Charleville had to resign themselves to a losing bonus point 9-5 in favour of the victors.
Three second half penalties from Paul O’Keeffe was enough to seal the deal here with Darren Butler making it a tense finish with the game’s only try almost at the death – however, it wasn’t to be for the men in red and it is Kanturk that start with a win as they head to Kerry to take on a Tralee side that will be hurting after their heavy loss to St Mary’s in Round 1.
For Charleville, their next league action is against another north Cork rival, as Fermoy make their way to the Limerick border town in search of their second win of the campaign. There should be little between these side this weekend with no quarter likely to be asked or given.
Fermoy 16 Thurles 8
FERMOY will head to Charleville full of the joys of life after they deservedly beat Thurles 16-8 last weekend. Eddie O’Connell was the hero of the hour with a personal tally of one try, one conversion and three penalties. Thurles hit back with a try from Shane Nugent and a Jack Flannigan penalty but ultimately it was the Cork side that would take the spoils on a really positive day for the area’s junior rugby players.
DIVISION 3
Youghal 15 Mitchelstown 13
THERE was one side that will be less than pleased with their lot and that would be Mitchelstown in the J3. The Cork side came up just short away to Youghal by 15-13. Tries from Sean Hennessy, Scott O’Sullivan and Brendan Mackey ultimately put pay to Mitchelstown’s chances however they did play well and managed a try from Pa Molloy with Pa Magee adding the extras as well as a brace of penalties.
Next up for Mitchelstown is the small matter of a home game with a Kilorglin side that saw their opening day’s fixture with Waterford City postponed.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 6 AT 2.30PM Munster Junior League Division 1
Munster Junior League Division 2 Munster Junior League Division 3 THE Munster Ladies Club Championships get underway in some style this weekend. The big tie from a Cork point of view is the visit of Donoughmore to Rathmore to take on Kerry junior club kingpins Kilcummin (throw-in 1pm). All games are result on the day.
FIXTURES
FIXTURES
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5
Munster Junior Club Championship Quarter Final
Donoughmore (Cork) v Kilcummin (Kerry), Rathmore GAA Grounds 1pm
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6
Munster Junior Club Championship Quarter Final
Doonbeg (Clare) v Kilrossanty Brickeys (Waterford), Mallow GAA Complex 12pm Munster Intermediate Club Championship Quarter Final
Abbeyside (Waterford) v Beaufort (Kerry), Mallow GAA Complex 1.45pm