Clanwilliam draw with Kilfeacle to extend lead at top
THE weekend storms resulted in only seven of the 18 Heineken Munster Junior League games going ahead, with First Division leaders Clanwilliam extending their lead at top, despite being held to an 18-18 draw in their local derby at Kilfeacle.
Playing with the elements in the opening half, Clanwilliam opened the scoring after ten minutes with a try from Stephen Nugent, which Michael Benson converted. Benson increased the visitors’ lead with a penalty, but in a rare visit into the Clanwilliam 22, Kilfeacle scored a pushover try.
Benson gave Clanwilliam a 13 5 interval lead with his second penalty, but on the change over Kilfeacle dominated matters and a try from Sean Heuston and a conversion and penalty from Ronan McDonogh had the home side 15 13 in front.
Clanwilliam finished the stronger and a try from Tom Russell put them back in front. However, two minutes into injury time, the First Division leaders were denied both points, when Ronan McDonogh levelled the game with a drop goal.
Skibbereen still are searching for their opening first division victory of the campaign, after they lost 15 0 away to Tralee. Playing with the wind, Peter Kerins put the home side ahead with a penalty after 16 minutes. Mick O_Connell then barged over for a try and Kerins added the conversion to leave Tralee 10 0 ahead at half time. The only score in the second half was a try from skipper Kieran Carmody midway through the half.
The two unbeaten sides in Division Two clashed at Clonakilty, when the home side opened up a four point gap at the top, after a 9 5 win over Douglas.
The visitors got off to a great start when Troy Weldon barged over for a try after ten minutes. Two penalties from Terry Dillon gave Clonakilty a 6 5 interval lead. As the Douglas pack tired, Clonakilty dominated the second half and their only reward for all their superiority was a penalty from Terry Dillon ten minutes from time.
Ennis moved out of the relegation zone, with an exciting 20 17 win at Ballincollig.
Brian O’Keeffe opened the scoring with a penalty for the home side. A try from Nick Nevin, converted by Bryan Murphy put Ennis in front, but an unconverted try from Keith Stafford had the home side 8 7 ahead at the halfway stage.
The sides were level 17 17 going into injury time, after Brian O’Keeffe kicked three penalties for the home side and David Murphy scored a second try for Ennis and Bryan Murphy kicking a penalty and a conversion. However, a drop goal in the fifth minute of injury time by Munster Under 21 Bryan Murphy secured the points for the visitors.
Division Three leaders St Senan’s lost their unbeaten league record, when Newport brought themselves back into contention with a 17 6 win over the Clare side. The winners scored three tries, from Donnacha O_Grady, John Paul Benson and Shane O_Brien with O_Brien converting one. Shane Markham replied for the visitors with two penalties. Newport are now level with St Senan’s at the top, with the Clare side having a slightly better points difference.
At the other end of the table, Kinsale recorded their first victory of the season with a deserved 22 0 win over Charleville. Playing with the wind, Kinsale lead 16 0 at half time with tries from Gordon Sullivan and Declan Browne and Colin Greenwood kicking two penalties. The only scores of the second half were two Greenwood penalties.
Presentation moved away from the danger zone with an 18 0 win over Carrick on Suir. Alan Rice and Mick McLoughlin scored tries for the winners and Shane Kiely kicked a conversion and two penalties.
In the Junior Qualifying League, Killarney took a big step, towards securing junior status next season with a deserved 35 0 win over Bantry Bay. The visitors were always on top and had tries from Sean Hickey, Michael Coleman, Pat Eviston, Aidan Hickey and Mike Nash. Sean Hickey kicked two penalties and two conversions.
© The Examiner, 1999