Mixed Results for Limerick sides in Munster Junior Cup

TYPICAL of the early rounds of the Munster Junior Cup, this Sunday’s third stage had its mix of predictable victories, close encounters and shock results. Out go Young Munster, Thomond, Richmond, Bruff, Old Crescent and Shannon while there were victories for Garryowen, Galbally and Newcastle West. Abbeyfeale got a walk-over from Waterpark and in the Munster Junior Plate the UL Bohemian v Tralee game did not take place because of a bereavement in the Kerry club. All-Ireland Junior Cup champions Kilfeacle and District continued their march for further glory with another impressive victory. 

Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup:

Newcastle West 27, Thomond 22: The Newcastle coaches will be pleased with this win but their side had to show big improvement in the second half after leading by just two points at the break. The home side got the first opportunity and Sean Herlihy was off target with a penalty but they took the lead a few minutes later when Donal O’Sullivan got over for an unconverted try. That score seemed to inspire Thomond and on ten minutes they went ahead when Conor Radcliffe was credited with the touchdown after a 30 metre maul, Adam Guerin adding the two points for a 5-7 lead.

The Sodacakes increased their lead to 5-10 when Guerin kicked a penalty but Newcastle went in at the break with a two point lead thanks to a Ted Walters try, converted by Sean Herlihy. Over the first 26 minutes of the second half Newcastle West dominated. Tries from James Kelly and Sean Ivess, a penalty and conversion by Sean Herlihy and a conversion from Sean Neville looked to have put this result to bed but Thomond put in a storming finish. Ger Finucane got in for a try, converted by Adam Guerin, to reduce the lead to 27-17 and minutes from the end Warren Kelly scored another touchdown to put a better gloss on the scoreboard.

Garryowen 18, Richmond 6: This game was always going to be a big test for  Richmond and at half time it looked as if they may record the upset of the day. Playing against the wind the Canal Bank side took an early lead when Brian Mullins was accurate from a penalty kick. Rory Collins replied for Garryowen but on 31 minutes Mullins was again on target off the tee as Richmond once again took the lead. Garryowen missed a penalty before the sides went in at the break with Richmond leading 3-6.

An early home penalty  levelled the tie once again and it was obvious that whoever got the first try would go on to win this game. It came to the home side, the light blues getting over for a seven pointer that put them into the lead for the first time at 13-6. Richmond fought hard to try and get back into this game but another Garryowen try, scored by winger Aaron Cosgrave, ensured their name would feature in the next round of this historic competition.

Old Crescent 12, Galbally 14: Played in Rosbrien, the home side were deprived of a place in the next round by a 70^th minute penalty after they had fought back from 11-0 down at the break. Galbally have been showing remarkable form in recent weeks and this victory was against all the odds. It was fitting that John Kearns, who has been in rare kicking form all season, came on as a replacement and landed the winning points. Galbally’s scores in that opening half came from a try by Patrick O’Donoghue and two penalties from Pa Shanahan. Crescent came out of the blocks as the second half got underway and tries from Mark Rickard and Ciaran Cusack, one converted by Kevin Meade, saw them lead by a point going into that last ten minutes.

Kinsale 24, Young Munster 8: A very disappointing performance from the Greenfields side saw them go out of this competition without hardly a whimper. They were still in the game at the break, trailing 16-8 but they failed to add to their score and were well beaten by the final whistle.

Shannon 10, Bandon 30: Another big scalp for a County Cork side over Limerick opposition with Bandon brushing the Parish juniors aside with a very impressive display. Shannon’s only scores came from a try  by Eathon Moloney after Odhran Ring made the initial break, a conversion and a penalty. The sides were level at 10-10 at the break but Bandon ran out deserving winners with a clinical second half performance.

Bank of Ireland Munster Junor Cup, round 3, results:

Bruff 8, Mallow 22;

Garryowen 18, Richmond 6;

Kinsale 24, Young Munster 8;

Newcastle West 27, Thomond 22;

Old Crescent 12, Galbally 14;

Shannon 10, Bandon 30;

Ballincollig 36, Old Christians 7;

Charleville 28, Ennis 5;

Clonakilty 17, UCC 7;

Cork Constitution 33, Skibbereen o;

Crosshaven 10, Clanwilliam 3;

Kilfeacle 55, St Senan’s 10;

Muskerry 8, Highfield 29;

Thurles 24, Fermoy 11.

Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate,

Waterford City 24, Dungarvan 28.

UL Bohemian v Tralee did not take place.