Junior Rugby Roundup: Galbally beat St Senan’s while Limerick interest in the Cup ends

Galbally had a significant victory on Sunday when they came away from Jim Slattery Park with a bonus-point win over home side St Senan’s. The win catapults them into a more respectable eighth position in the Munster Junior League division one table.

This much-improved performance reaped the first victory of this campaign for Galbally, the winning bonus point, added to their losing bonus point against Abbeyfeale on opening day, putting them now on five points.

Next up for Galbally, next Sunday is a visit to Crosshaven who are four points adrift of joint league leaders Newcastle West and Mallow.

Sunday’s game, refixed after it was called off on October 6, was an exciting affair that produced six tries. ‘Senan’s’ also needed a victory but they got nothing for their efforts today and they remain in the bottom two with just a single point from their three outings.

Galbally looked sharp from the start and with Pa Shanahan scoring a brace of tries, his side had a platform to build on. Martin Mulvaney added a third try while the crucial bonus point score came from Jack Donovan. John Kearns was in kicking form, landing three conversions and a penalty for a welcome win for the County Limerick club.

In the Energia National Junior Cup first-round games on Saturday, Richmond were beaten at home by Grosvenor 15-37 while Newcastle West’s long trip north was also fruitless as they went out of the competition on a 38-10 scoreline.

Those results ended any expectations that Limerick may have had of retaining interest this season in this competition.

Match Report: Richmond 15 – 37 Grosvenor

The half time score at the Canal Bank venue on Saturday gave hope to the home side and at that stage, it appeared that Richmond may run the Ulster Kukri Championship division one side close in the second 40 minutes.

The opening half was evenly contested with the visitors leading by just two points, 8-10, at the break. Out-half Sean Considine kicked a penalty for Richmond but tries from Jordan Brown and Mitch McCombe for Grosvenor saw the northern visitors lead 3-10 on 33 minutes. A well-worked Richmond try came just before the short whistle, Shane Halpin racing over after a fine backline move.

The kicking of visiting ‘ten’ Peter Davidson was a telling factor as the second half got underway and it was his lengthy clearances that constantly gave his side good field position. A second try for Mitch McCombe, converted by Davidson, increased the Grosvenor lead to 8-17 after the home defence failed to deal with a soaring kick from the out-half. That score changed the pattern of the game and tries from Ben Davies, Daniel Foden and a Davidson conversion pushed the lead to 29-8.

To their credit, Richmond showed great character and some good approach work by their pack resulted in Barry Laffan getting in for a try which was expertly converted by Sean Considine to put a more respectable look on the scoreboard at 15-29 with 18 minutes to go. That was to be Richmond’s last score. Grosvenor finished in some style with tries from Willie Rea and Johnny Farquehar and Peter Robinson added the extras for a 37-15 victory.

Match Report: Dromore 38 – 10 Newcastle West

Newcastle West lost their unbeaten record this season when they made the long trip north to play Dromore RFC in Barban Hill. The Ulster League leaders got off to a great start and by half time Newcastle knew that they were going to have to find some early second-half scores if they were to find a way back.

Dromore had a healthy 24-3 lead at the break, the West’s Sean Herlihy kicking his side’s only three pointer. The home side added a further 14 points in the second half while Newcastle West replied with a try from Jason Woulfe, converted by Sean Herlihy.

This was always going to be a big ask for Ger Earls’ side but, having had to travel without four key players, they still put up a good show against a quality side that has now won six out of their last seven games.

It is back to the leagues next week-end with Thomond travelling to Bandon on Saturday and on Sunday Abbeyfeale play Kilfeacle and District. Richmond travel to Clanwilliam, Galbally visit Crosshaven and joint Munster Junior League 1 table toppers Newcastle West and Mallow meet at the County Limerick venue.

In Munster Junior League 2 it’s fifth-placed against sixth place when St Mary’s go-to Kinsale in search of precious points.