Mixed weekend for local clubs
A WEEKEND of mixed fortunes for the Kerry and west Limerick junior rugby sides as Tralee, Killarney, Castleisland, Newcastle West, Abbeyfeale and Corca Dhuibhne took to the field last Sunday.
Division 1 saw Tralee step out against the league’s bottom side Thurles. The game which took place at the Tipperary side’s home venue was a must win for Tralee if they were to stay clear of the looming dog fight at the wrong end of the table.
Away wins are difficult to come by at this level, but a rampant Tralee showed no mercy to the struggling home side and ran out 36 – 7 winners.
The result wasn’t in doubt by the turn as the away team had a 26-7 lead – bagging a four tries in the opening 40 minutes.
Nessan Crean touched down twice for the victors with Eoin Murphy and Dan O’connor also grabbing touchdowns in the first period. The second half didn’t get much better for Thurles, as Tralee bagged another two tries with O’connor and Ian Murphy crossing the opposition whitewash for the fifth and sixth time respectively.
Gareth Walsh added the extra points on one occasion to round of the emphatic victory which leaves Tralee in the relative safety of mid table.
Killarney and Castleisland maintained their challenges for a promotion spot in the J2 thanks to victories over Ballincollig and Muskerry respectively. Killarney remain in fourth spot after their 2119 win away to the Cork side. Paul Daly bagged a brace of tries for the victors with Glen Murphy adding a third. Kevin Daly’s place kicking proved to be the crucial factor on the day as he added the extra points on all three occasions to seal the well deserved two point victory.
Castleisland piled the pressure on Muskerry as they came away from Ballyanly with the points after an 11 – 0 win. Shane O’connell scored the game’s only try. JJ Casey rounded off the scoring with a pair of successful penalties that keeps the winners in with a very slim chance of gaining promotion.
Newcastle West who sit one spot ahead of Castleisland, kept their challenge alive with an 8-3 away win over Ennis. Sean Neville touched down for the Limerick boys with Tommy Kelleher kicking a penalty.
Like Castleisland, Newcastle West are still in with a chance of winning a promotion spot, but mid table respectability looks more like the inevitable outcome for this campaign.
In division three, Abbeyfeale and Corca Dhuibhne played out a real cracker on Sunday with the former prevailing by 28-26. Ger Walsh scored two tires for the triumphant side with Micheal Roche and Michael Enright also grabbing tries on the day.
Roche added two conversions with colleague Thomas Enright also chipping in with the vital penalty in the final minute of the game. Ciaran Slattery, Sean Collins, Gary O’connor and Kevin Moriarty replied with tries for the boys from the Gaeltacht with and Micheal Flannery added three conversions.
Usually sides that rack up four tries on an afternoon come away with the spoils, but unfortunately Corca Dhuibhne that didn’t prove to be the case on this occasion.
The Kerry lads will take some solace from the two points garnered on the day.