RICE College, Ennis, put in a huge display to beat a very good Clonmel team 3–0 in the semi-final of the King Cup in Lees Road last Thursday. This was a close and exciting rugby game that went from end to end, with both teams creating chances only to be thwarted by their opponents’ excellent defence.
Rice College gained the initiative with a well-kicked penalty by Eamon Chesser after 20 minutes and kept this lead right to the end of the game. However, it was not without some heroic defending and tackling, which was needed on many occasions, to save the day.
While this victory was indeed a great team effort, Cian Nugent, Seán Moloney, Tóla Coote, Michael McNeilus and Eamon Chesser put in some excellent tackling and defensive work.
Rice College now go forward to the final of the King Cup for the first time and they will play Crosshaven from Cork in Charleville at 12 noon on Friday.
The team that lined out in the semi-final was: Lucas Cuchran, Chris Hanrahan, Alan Considine, Akinola Ojuolape, Tóla Coote, Shane Hanrahan, Cian Nugent, Seán Moloney, Ronan O’Halloran, Eamon Chesser, Nicky Twumasi, Michael McNeilis, Segun Junaid, Declan Ensko, Stephen Tuohy.
Substitutes: Edwin Fitzgibbon, Niall Broderick, Johnny Martin, Ian Hugh, Cian O’Doherty and Samir Parker.

Ennis avoid the drop

Ennis 9
Newcastle West 5

Ennis RFC have retained Division 2 status for the coming season thanks to their win over Newcastle West in their final game of the campaign at the Limerick club’s venue on Sunday.
Ennis went into the game knowing that to have any chance of survival, they had to win the game and even that would not guarantee them Division 2 status. They also needed Galbally to beat St Mary’s if they were to avoid relegation.
David Murphy kicked all nine points for the Ennis men. His first-half penalty left the winners 3-0 ahead at half-time. Early in the second half, Newcastle West scored a try when Ennis were down to 14 men, as they had Gearóid Crowe in the sin bin.
Ennis fought back strongly and David Murphy put them back in front when he landed another penalty, which he followed with a drop goal to give them the victory they needed.
News came through a few minutes later that Galbally were well ahead of St Mary’s and this result on top of the Ennis win meant that the Clare side remain in Division 2 for the coming season.
Ennis: Brian Farrell, Joe Moloney, Eric McInerney, Ross McLoughlin, Pa Harding, Gearóid Crowe, Rory Murphy, Damian Forde, Brian Dolan, David Murphy, Mark Kelly, Niall Nevin, Shaun O’Flanagan, Mark O’Halloran, James Littleton.
Subs: Joe Kelly, Liam Ryan, Jason Considine, Roy Duggan, Gary Duggan and Niall McMahon.

Webb Cup

Scariff travel to play Kilfeackle in the Webb Cup on Sunday at 1pm, while St Senan’s will have home advantage against Kilrush in the same competition at 2.30pm.