Newcastle West power on in All-Ireland Junior Cup

NEWCASTLE West RFC powered their way into the quarter-finals of the Ulster Bank League All-Ireland Junior Cup, thanks to a thrilling 30-25 victory over Enniscorthy RFC at Cullinagh.

Newcastle West recovered from a 10-0 first half deficit on Saturday to score three excellent tries and secure their place in the last eight at the expense of the two-time All-Ireland Junior Cup winners and last season’s beaten finalists Enniscorthy.

This is the 13th season of the competition with Newcastle West returning to action in a quarter-final fixture on November 11.

After falling 10 points down, resilient Newcastle West rallied with a fine try from Dave Foley which was set up by Sean Herlihy’s crossfield kick. Herlihy also converted to make it 7-10.

The Co Wexford side responded with their second try of the game soon after. However, a Timmy Kelliher penalty for the home side reduced the visitors half-time lead to 15-10.

Newcastle West made the perfect start to the second half when Darragh Tracy got in on the try-scoring act with Herlihy’s conversion making it 17-15 to the home side.

The home side moved further clear with Herlihy kicked a further penalty on 50 minutes and an opportunistic try from Brian O’Sullivan on the hour mark, again converted by Herlihy, helped Newcastle West into a sizeable 27-15 lead.

Enniscorthy weren’t done yet, however, and two quick fire tries cut the West Limerick side’s lead to just two points, 27-25.

However, home supporters’ nerves were settled just on full-time when Herlihy kicked a match clinching penalty goal to bring his haul of points for the game to 12.

Ulster Bank League All-Ireland Junior Cup first round results:

Newcastle West 30 Enniscorthy 25, Cullinagh

Ashbourne 24 Ballyclare 13, Milltown House

Ballina 35 Portadown 12, Heffernan Park

Clonmel 25 Westport 21, Ardgaoithe

De La Salle Palmerston 7 Connemara 5, Kirwan Park 

Enniskillen (walkover win) v Bandon, Ardgart Road

Instonians 22 Gorey 16, Shaw's Bridge

Monivea 7 Kilfeacle & District 24, Castle Grounds