Aidan Corr’s Junior Rugby Round Up

THE Transfield Cup is motoring along nicely since the return to action and already Newcastle West and Thomond appear to be major contenders to lift the trophy.

Following their 28 to 7 win last week-end over Abbeyfeale, Newcastle West moved closer to silverware last Sunday with an emphatic 59-5 victory over Richmond. At half time the outcome of the fixture was already decided with NCW leading 31-5. That score reflected the trend and Richmond fell apart in the second 40 minutes, leaking a whopping 47 points. On the scoresheet for the winners in that opening half were Daniel Normoyle, Jason Woulfe, Sean Murphy a try each and two from Cian Tierney with Sean Herlihy kicking three conversions.

Second half tries from Michael Bourke, James Corbett and Sean Murphy for Newcastle West kept the scoreboardman busy with Shane Airey firing over three conversions. At the break Richmond appeared to be drained of energy reserves and the fitter, faster and a more determined Newcastle blew them away in the second half.

Also in the Transfield Cup on Saturday Richmond and Thomond played out a hard-fought and entertaining 80 minutes at Richmond Park in the McInerney Cup. There was very little between these two great rivals and they were locked together at 3-3 for much of the first half, Eoghan Sherlock for Thomond and Brian O’Neill for Richmond trading penalties. A second Sherlock penalty pushed Thomond three points ahead, Richmond missed a similar opportunity but a try from Mark Long, converted by Eoghan Sherlock proved crucial to the result. Richmond replied with a well-taken Dylan Cotter try but it was Thomond who advanced on a scoreline of 8 points to 13.

It was also back to business last week-end for the country’s senior sides with most Limerick clubs listed for action. Young Munster were the only local side to record a victory in the Energia Community Series Conference One, beating UCC 43-14 thanks to first half scores from Donnacha O’Callaghan, Huw Worthington and Luke Fitzgerald. The second half saw the Greenfields side add further scores from Fitzgerald, Aaron Hennessy and a penalty try while the reliable Evan Cusack continued to provide crucial points from the kicking tee.

Old Crescent travelled to Cork in optimistic mood but it was not a memorable outing for them, losing to the home side by 54 points to 19. Crescent were well in it in the first half and trailed by only 14 points, Con leading 28-14. The Rosbrien boys led 5-7 after 11 minutes when Dan Hurley got in for a try, converted by Ronan McKenna, the Cork side opening the scoring with an unconverted try. Cathal Monaghan scored his side’s second try but on the day they were no match for the in-form Constitution.

Shannon hosted Cashel in Coonagh but they will be disappointed with their opening game of the campaign. Cashel scored first with an unconverted try but Keelan Stephenson made a fine break to touch down at the other end and John O’Sulllivan’s conversion put Shannon 7-5 to the good. Two O’Sullivan penalties was the home side’s reply to Cashel’s brace of tries and the Tipperary side led by 13-19 at the break. The second half saw Cashel go into a more healthy lead and they went on to record a 36-30 point win at the final whistle despite a courageous late rally from the Parish side.

In Kilballyowen home side Bruff had a deserved victory over Sunday’s Well. Resplendid in their canary coloured new gear, Bruff had the better of the opening half and led 22-0 at the short whistle. The ‘Well’ put in a better second period and got in for two converted tries but Bruff added ten more points to run out deserving bonus point winners.

Bruff Seconds also had a good outing. They recorded a 37-17 win over Sunday’s Well Seconds in the game that followed the firsts teams’ fixture at the same venue.