Scariff victory seals promotion to Division 2

Scariff 25 Waterford 13

SCARIFF will play in Division 2 of the Munster Junior Rugby League next season following their latest victory in Division 3.
A strong second-half showing against Waterford City secured the win, which ensures promotion for the East Clare side formed 43 years ago. This was their biggest success to date and, already, plans are being made for next season and their involvement in Division 2.
In last week’s game, they trailed by a point at half-time but went on to hold Waterford scoreless in the second half.
Scariff had first-half tries from Conor McNamara and Rory Slattery while James Kelly converted. In the second half, McNamara went in for another try, which Kelly converted while he also landed two penalties to seal the win and promotion.
This week, Scariff travel to Dingle to play Corca Dhuibhne in their final game of the season. The match will take place at 2.30pm on Saturday and a win will mean that the East Clare side will have gone through the league without defeat.
Scariff: Paul McTiernan, Colin Bugler, Joe McGrath; Dara McNamara, Rory Slattery; Patrick Minogue, Robbie Madden, Darren McNamara; Thomas Cronin, James Kelly; Barry Gibbons, Owen Collins, Kenny Mason, Trevor Kelly; Conor McNamara.
Subs: David Harte, Stevie Madden, Kenneth Purcell, Joe Brody, Bernard McGrath.

St Senan’s 20 Cobh 10

ST Senan’s proved too strong for Cobh in this first-division league tie on Sunday. Brian Collins and Ronan O’Callaghan scored tries for the Shannon side. Declan Collins converted both tries and landed a drop goal while Ger McNamara kicked a penalty.

Ennis in control

Ennis 13  Muskerry 0

ENNIS proved too strong for Muskerry in this Division 2 league tie on Sunday. The home side’s defence dominated throughout and the winners were 10-0 in front at half-time following a try from Conor Mahony, which was converted by Bryan Murphy who also landed a penalty. Murphy also landed a penalty in the second half to seal victory for the Ennis outfit.
Ennis: Dylan Tynan, O’Mahoney; Mark Kelly, Damian O’Sullivan, Niall Nevin, Cian Clancy; Bryan Murphy, David Murphy; Conor Mahony, Sean McCormack, Thionn Van Rooyen, John Corry, Jason Considine; Mike McInerney, Eric McInerney, Brian Farrell.
Subs: Steve Dunne for Corry; Joe Molony for Van Rooyen.

A timely boost for Kilrush

Kilrush 19 Shandon 0

KILRUSH received a timely boost ahead of this weekend’s Munster junior bowl semi-final at Monmore when they defeated Shandon in the league at the West Clare venue on Sunday.
After a scoreless first half, Brian Johnson gave Kilrush the lead with a try early in the second half. Brian Sanuders followed with another try, which was converted by Paul Conway before Ben Hopkins sealed victory with the team’s third try which Conway also converted. 
Kilrush: Pádraig O’Malley, Aidan Mescall, Dermot Moloney, Martin Hehir, Alan Hogan, Rory Cussen, Brian Johnson, Trevor Downes, Ray Conway, Brian Saunders, John O’Neill, John Conway, John Tubridy, Ben Hopkins, Paul Conway.
All roads lead to Monmore this Sunday for the Kilrush side’s clash with Waterford City with a place in the junior bowl final at stake.

Ennis U11’s at Willow Park Festival

ENNIS U-11s participated in the mini festival at Willow Park, Blackrock, Dublin, last weekend. In all, 55 teams drawn from across the country competed on 14 pitches.
All 47 members of the Ennis panel assembled on Saturday morning last to travel to the competition.
For most, this was their inaugural rugby tour as officials brought three teams to play in one of the country’s premier mini rugby festival.
In the morning, Ennis teams were pitched against Wexford and Boyne in the A section (each played twice), and two further teams against De la Salle, Willow Park, St Michael’s and Castlepark, Willow Park and Aravon in the B section of the competition.
The festival itself does not determine overall winners yet encourages participation in a competitive environment.
The afternoon series of matches saw Ennis against St Mary’s, Tullamore and Coleraine in the A section; Corinthians, UL Bohs, Willow Park and Barnhall, St Mary’s and Rahaelty in the B section.
In all, Ennis played 19 matches recording 11 victories and two draws. This was a very impressive return during the day and reflects the high level of expectation set by this bunch of players and coaches and indeed the progress made this year. There were outstanding displays with Ronan Lannigan (top try scorer), Liam Wall, Ross O’Flaherty, Tom O’Brien, Morgan Garry, Turlough Barrett, Oisin Mangan, Frank Roche and Ben O’Donnell.
The Ennis players that participated were Liam Wall, Conall Bolger, Ross O’Flaherty, Lorchan Clancy, Barry Neylon, JP Neville, Shane Brennan, Roan Lannigan, Ben Ryan, Frank Roche, Cathal Lennon, Sean Andreasson, Mike Reid, Joe Spellisey, Eanna O’Donoghue, Paul Tuohy, Eldon Nolan, Eoghan Wallace, Ben O’Donnell, Eoin Martin, Ulick O’Sullivan, Tom O Brien, Kevin Reynolds, Marc Barry, Stephen Talty, Zak McDonagh, Turlough Barrett, Caiman Whelan, Luke Griffey, Dylan Myhill, Eliaz Kunz, James Nugent, Eoin Clancy, Stepehn Dolan, Darragh Slattery, Oisín Mangan, Joseph Connaughton, David McNamara, Gerard Kavanagh, Morgan Garry, Philip Talty, Aidan Jordan, Shane Vaughan, Evan Toomey, Harry Talty.

Rice College advance in King Cup

RICE College progressed to the semi-final of the U-16 King Cup with a 33-15 hard-fought win against a spirited Villiers side from Limerick. Rice had a great start scoring two tries without reply to go into a strong lead. They led 26-5 at half-time but Villiers came back at them in the second half to score two tries to one from Rice College. The team had some good forward and back performances and showed good cohesion in the rucks and lineouts.
Some poor tackling led to the scores that came against them and this is an aspect that needs attention for the next game.
Rice scorers on the day were Segum Juniad (two tries), Chris Hanrahan (two tries) and Shane Hanrahan (one try). Ronan O’Halloran scored (four conversion kicks).
Rice College now have a very difficult semi-final against Newport, Tipperary this Thursday at 12.30pm in Lees Road. Newport have had three good wins in this competition to date against Killarney, Clonmel and the team that beat Rice College in last years final, Crosshaven.
Rice College panel: Eoin Sexton, David Brassil, Marcus Casey, Chris Hanrahan, Seamus Quigley, Shane Hanrahan, Nicki Twumasi, Daithi O’Callaghan, Ian Haugh, Ronan O’Halloran, Aaron Lysaght, Michael McNelis, Dardan Hazari, Fionn O’Carroll-Quinlan, Johnny Martin, Segum Juniad, Alan Considine, David Flynn, Hugh Butler and Conor Teefey.