St Senan’s lose out to Waterpark

St Senan’s   12
Waterpark   19
FOLLOWING last week’s narrow victory over Old Christian’s, St Senan’s were hoping to consolidate their league position in Sunday’s game against Waterpark, who share the same standing.

Senan’s started strongly and had the visitors on the back foot from the kick-off. Unfortunately, an attempted drop goal was intercepted by one of Waterpark’s backs, who then punished the home side by running in their first try. When converted, this gave the visitors an early 0-7 lead.
Keeping their composure, Senan’s were soon back on the attack. Davy Dunne got the ball inside his own half and weaved his way through the visitors’ defence only to be stopped five metres short of the try line. Maintaining possession, Senan’s moved the ball out wide, reaching Ian Fitzgerald, who ran in a good try. Unfortunately, the angle proved too difficult for Declan Collins to add the extra points when his kick drifted just wide of the posts but Senan’s had managed to reduce the point deficit to 5-7.
Senan’s continued to push deep into the visitors’ half and got a further try on 33 minutes when Chris Sloan scored under the posts. Declan Collins made sure of the extra points this time and Senan’s went into a 12-7 lead, which they held at half-time.
Waterpark had the better of the early exchanges in the second half and regained the lead with their second try and conversion, moving the score to 12-14 in their favour.

Senan’s regrouped from this latest set-back and pushed the visitors back into their own half. A good cross-field kick by Declan Collins found his brother Brian out wide on the wing and when he got the ball over the line, it looked as though Senan’s had regained the lead. However, the referee ruled that the ball had been held up by a Waterpark player and denied Senan’s the try.
Senan’s strong scrummaging saw them push over the try line but once again had a try appeal rejected by the referee, who claimed a Waterpark player had prevented the ball being grounded.
Waterpark mounted a quick counter attack, during which Senan’s captain Aaron Skerritt was yellow-carded for an infringement. Taking advantage of a weakened Senan’s defence, Waterpark added their third try of the game, extending their lead to 12-19.
Despite some spirited forward play by Senan’s, they could not add any further scores but they did salvage a losing bonus point.
Next week, Senan’s travel to Skibbereen hoping to put this latest set-back behind them.
St Senan’s: David Dunne, Barry Murphy, Chris Sloan, Ronan O’Callaghan, Brian Collins, Declan Collins, Darragh McCoy, Ian Fitzgerald, Trevor Skerritt, Paul O’Halloran, Aidan O’Callaghan, Aaron Skerritt, Timmy Larkin, Fergal Lawlor, Tony O’Brien.
Replacements: Dwane Horkin, Gerard McNamara, Declan Coughlan, Eamon Martin and David Webb.

Charleville   9
Ennis   15
ENNIS recorded their first win in Charleville in 10 years when they beat the North Cork outfit in a Division 2 league tie on Sunday.
This was a well fought tie played in ideal conditions. The home side had most of the play in the opening quarter and went in front when they landed a penalty after 15 minutes.
Ennis got a grip on the game after this and in the closing stages of the half, Bryan Murphy converted two penalties to leave the visitors 6-3 in front at the break. The visitors were happy with this position.
Early in the second half, Ennis were unlucky not to score a try, following sustained pressure. They did increase their lead when Murphy landed two more penalties to leave the score at 12-3.
Charleville closed the gap with a penalty, before Ennis were forced to play the last 10 minutes with 14 men. With their full complement of five substitutes used, they lost Niall Nevin to injury and had to play the remaining time a man short when they were put under a lot of pressure by the home side. A fifth penalty from Murphy extended their advantage before the Cork side landed their third penalty in injury time to secure a losing bonus point. Ennis returned with a merited win following their best performance of the campaign.
Ennis will entertain Killarney in the league this week.
Ennis: James Dempsey, Eric McInerney, Brian Farrell; Pa Harding, Enda Galvin; Sean McCormack, Damian Forde, Thionn Van Rooyan; Brian Dolan, Bryan Murphy; Niall Nevin, David Murphy, Noel Downes, Saran Butler, Dylan Tynan O’Mahoney.
Subs: Kieran Reid for Dempsey (inj), John Corry for Harding, Cian Clancy for Downes, Jay Considine for Van Rooyan and Van Rooyan for Reid (inj).

Fermoy   11
Scariff   11
SCARIFF and Fermoy shared the spoils in a tough Division 3 league encounter in Cork. Both teams still remain unbeaten in the league after the result, with Scariff just one point ahead of Presentation at the top of the league table.
Scariff led for most of the game, with their tally being made up by a try from Thomas Cronin and two penalties from James Kelly.
With minutes to go, Scariff looked like they were heading for their fifth victory, with the score at 11-3, Fermoy went over the line for a try and followed up with a late penalty, which levelled the scores.
It was a fair result overall but Scariff will rue their lack of disicpline at times, which led to the Fermoy penalties.
Kilrush are up next for Scariff in Craven’s field this Sunday, when a big following will be expected for the Clare derby. Kilrush were free last week and will travel to East Clare keen to upset the league leaders.
Scariff: Joe McGrath, Bernard McGrath, Paul McTiernan, Dara McNamara (captain), Rory Slattery, Patrick Minogue, Henry Purcell, Robbie Madden, Tom Cronin, James Kelly, Barry Gibbons, Eoghan Collins, Kenny Mason, Trevor Kelly, Conor McNamara.
Replacements: Darren McNamara, David Harte, Ger Maguire, Steve Madden, Denis O’Grady and Joe Brody.