| It has been one of the most exciting Munster Junior League division one title races for some years but it now looks almost certain that Kilfeacle and District will be crowned champions. Sunday’s results did not provide any shocks with wins for Newcastle, Thomond, Richmond and league leaders Kilfeacle. The league table now reads Kilfeacle on 54 points, Thomond and Newcastle West sharing second place on 44 points and Mallow fourth on 41 points. Newcastle West have a game to play over the other three. This coming week-end all eyes will be on Richmond’s home game against Kilfeacle who need just one point to claim the title. If they were to lose this final game by over seven points at the Canal Bank venue and Newcastle West won with a bonus point away to Waterpark the previous night, then five points from their last game against St Senan’s would bring NCW level. It’s a long shot and the odds are on the title going to Tipperary. Sunday’s results: MJL1, Abbeyfeale 3, Newcastle West 14: It was a hard-fought derby in The Grove with the clinching second try coming five minutes before the end. Derry O’Connor kicked a penalty for Abbeyfeale in the opening half but a try by Sean Ivess converted by Sean Herlihy saw the visitors lead 3-7 at the short whistle. The second half was played in very difficult weather conditions that included hailstones, wind and rain and a second try for Newcastle scored by James Kelly and converted by Sean Herlihy, sealed the four points for the visitors. Thomond 24, Galbally 10: It looked as if Thomond were going to run away with this game in Liam Fitzgerald Park. They led 12-0 at half time with tries from Evan Sheehan, converted by Adam Guerin, on 20 minutes and a second try by Ryan Ahern before the break. A second try by Ryan Ahern, again converted by Adam Guerin, put the royal blues 19-0 to the good early in the second period. Thomond then lost a man to the bin and Galbally, who also had a player yellow carded in the opening half, responded with a brace of unconverted tries to reduce the lead to 19-10. A fourth try, this time Evan O’Connor dotting down, sealed the bonus point victory for the north city club and pushes them up to joint second in the table. Crosshaven 7, Richmond 13: They left it late, but Richmond returned from the County Cork venue happy with this away victory. They took the lead after 14 minutes when Sean Considine was accurate with a penalty kick. A chance to increase their lead was missed when they failed to convert another penalty but before the break Brian Mullins gave his side a 6-0 half time advantage from the kicking tee. Two minutes into the second half Crosshaven hit the front when they got a try under the posts and the easy conversion put them 7-6 in front. Richmond put in big finish and a try by Gearoid Phelan, converted by Brian Mullins gave the green and whites the points. In the other games played, Kilfeacle and District had a bonus point win over Clonakilty 24-0 with Bandon and Skibbereen drawing 17-17. Next weekend Newcastle West are away to Waterpark on Saturday and on the following day it’s Abbeyfeale v Skibbereen, Bandon v Mallow, Clanwilliam v Galbally, Richmond v Kilfeacle, St Senan’s v Crosshaven and Thomond v Clonakilty. The final fixtures in this division are penned in for March 22 (tbc) and will see Clonakilty host Richmond and Newcastle West play St Senan’s. |
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