Senan’s give up first-half lead

Rugby Round-up

Galbally 20
St Senans  9
St Senan’s visit to Galbally was never going to be an easy one as they have had little success there in past seasons and Galbally are currently chasing pole position in the league.
Both sides struggled to control the game in the early stages as they tried to settle into a routine and each conceded a number of early penalties.
Senan’s were the first to score from one of these penalties after nine minutes but they conceded a penalty in front of the uprights just four minutes later, allowing Galbally to draw level.
Senan’s took control of the game for a while and looked the stronger of the two sides, regaining the lead on 18 minutes when Declan Collins kicked a long-range penalty.
The next score came after a period of play in which neither side could take control of the ball and put pressure on the other. Once again, it was to be a penalty for Senan’s that allowed them to go into half-time 3-9 leaders.
The second half saw both sides battle hard in the centre of the field but neither side produced any controlled rugby by which they could build scoring opportunities. Galbally benefitted from this uncontrolled rugby and converted two penalties in the first 15 minutes of the half to draw level, 9-9.
Frustration on both sides was rising and in the middle of the half each side had players sin-binned, Galbally reacted more positively to this setback and scored a penalty and a converted try during the sin-bin period.
Galbally ended the scoring with a 39th minute penalty to give them a 20-9 victory but two late red cards for them soured the victory somewhat.
This week, St Senan’s take on Clanwilliam at 2.30pm on Sunday in Jimmy Slattery Park.
St Senan’s: Pa Ryan, Fergal Lawlor, Tony O’Brien, Aaron Skerritt, Aidan O’Callaghan, Jamie Keogh, Ian Fitzgerald, Mike O’Connell, Darragh McCoy, Noel Hoban, Fernando Gallant, Brian Collins, Neil McDonagh, Ger McNamara, Declan Collins.
Replacements: David Webb, Eamonn Martin, Eamonn O’Donoghue, Eoghan McNeil, Jake Egan.

Scariff  27 
Newport 22
Scariff and Newport met in Scariff on a sunny day in a bottom-of-the-table clash. Both teams were up for the match as neither wanted to remain winless at this stage.
Scariff started the stronger, attacking Newport up through the middle but good Newport defence kept Scariff at bay. This gave Newport confidence and they began to pile on the pressure. The Scariff defence looked like it would leak a score but against the run of play from a line-out move and some very good passing between forwards and backs, Michael Madden went over for the opening score. The conversion was missed.
Minutes later, Scariff were over again through Trevor Kelly, leaving the score 10-0 coming towards the break. However, sustained Newport pressure and lack of concentration in defence allowed Newport in for two tries late in the first half, leaving the score 12-10 to Newport. Scariff had a penalty opportunity late in the half but this was missed.
Newport started the second half the stronger, scoring a converted try for a 19-10 lead. Newport then had two players sent to the sin-bin within minutes of each other for infringements. Scariff responded with two quick tries from Robbie Madden after good, sustained forward pressure, leaving the score 20-19 with minutes on the clock.
After Newport pressure, the referee awarded a harsh penalty that Newport converted, leaving the score 22-20 in injury time.
Scariff responded by throwing everything at Newport and an excellent break by out-half James Kelly was supported by Robbie Madden, who collected a pass from Kelly that set him free to run under the posts for the winning score. The try was converted by Trevor Kelly, leaving the final score 27-22 in favour of the Clare side.
Scariff: Joe McGrath, Colin Bugler, David Harte, Dara McNamarra, Rory Slattery, Joe Brody, Robbie Madden, Pat Minogue (capt), Tom Cronin, James Kelly, Steven Madden, Michael Madden, Kenny Mason, Trevor Kelly, Conor McNamarra.
Replacements: Paul McTiernan, Eoin Brown, Conor Minogue, Tyrone Elliot, Sean McGrath, Bernard McGrath, Denis Sweeney.

Ennis 12 
Kinsale 10
Ennis travelled to Kinsale for this league tie on Sunday and returned with the points. Bryan Murphy landed four penalties to give them a match-winning tally.
Kinsale started strongly and took the lead with a penalty.  Ennis responded with two long-range penalties from Murphy but, late in the first half, the Cork side scored a try under the posts, which was converted, to lead 10-6 at the interval.
Kinsale started the second half strongly but Ennis defended well and Murphy landed another long-range penalty to close the gap to the minimum margin. Four minutes from time the visitors made a great line break to get within a metre of the Kinsale line, where they were awarded another penalty that Murphy landed to put them ahead.
Kinsale hit back again and won a penalty inside the 22 but, surprisingly, they opted to run the ball and Ennis turned over possession and held on to win the game. They had been threatening this victory for a while and will hope to build on it when they entertain St Mary’s this week at 2.30pm.
Ennis: Dylan Tynan O’Mahoney, Saran Butler, Brandan Grant, Damian O’Connor, Niall Nevin (capt), Bryan Murphy, David Murphy, Steve Dunne, Jason Considine, Dara Killeen, Frank Holly, Pa Harding; Michael McInerney, Liam  Ryan, Kieran Reid.
Replacements: Conor Mahoney for Dunne; Joe Moloney for Ryan; Enda Galvin for Harding.