League wins for Tralee, Castleisland, Killorglin and Corca Dhuibhne

TRALEE showed they are still a force to be reckoned with as they took the honours in their J1 league fixture against Crosshaven last Sunday. They defeated the highly regarded west Cork side 25- 13 to move up to fifth in the table – unfortunately this position is 18 points behind league leaders Richmond.

Tralee were the hosts in this one and thanks to tries from Eoin Murphy, Kevin O’shea, Garrett Walsh and Ultan Dillane, they collected the invaluable fifth point for getting four tries to add to their four points for winning the tie. Walsh added the extra points on one occasion as well as slotting over a single penalty.

The home side didn’t have things all their own way as Paul Cogan and Eamon Ring replied with tries for Crosshaven with Daryl Foley adding a successful penalty kick.

However there was no questioning the result as Tralee recorded their third league win on the bounce to allay any fears that their foreseeable future was not in the top flight of Junior rugby.

In J2, Killarney also had home advantage as they faced off against the high flying Mallow. The Kerry side went into this one knowing that a win would move them up to third spot and back in the hunt for a promotion spot.

Unfortunately for the home side their north Cork opponents were in no mood to take their foot off the gas in their drive for promotion.

Killarney put it up to the visitors in the opening period and went in at the break trailing by just a point 7- 6. The second half proved to be another tight affair with Mallow just getting the better of things to edge the scoreboard by 13- 6 at the finish.

The loss is like any loss – hard to take – but the losing bonus point garnered is some reward against a side that has only been on the wrong end of the final score line on one occasion this season. Promotion isn’t realistically on the cards at this stage for Killarney so cup silverware may be the only chance of salvaging something from the 2011-2012 season.

Castleisland also took to the field on Sunday and also came away with the spoils as they defeated Youghal 23- 16 in their mid table clash. William Casey did the damage for the Kerry side as he went over for two of his side’s three five pointers. Shane Flynn notched up the other try with JJ Casey kicking two penalties and a conversion.

Anthony Frahill O’connor replied with a try for Youghal with Aaron Daly kicking a conversion and three penalties to secure a losing bonus pint for the seasiders.

This win moves Castleisland up to seventh in the table – well out of the trouble at the bottom but also well out of the action at the top.

In the J3, Killorglin pushed up to second place thanks to their 183 away win at Bantry Bay. Barry Sheehan and Darren Curtayne did the damage for the visitors as they bagged a try apiece with Dave Coffey adding one conversion and two penalties.

Corca Dhuibhne rounded off what was a terrific weekend for the local sides with a five try haul against Cork side Dunmanway.

A hat- trick from Gavin Curran with one each from Kieran Slattery and Eoin Murphy gave Corca Dhuibhne the spoils and moved them clear of the danger looming at the bottom of the table.