Limerick Rugby - Richmond win Munster league

RICHMOND won their third Munster Junior League Division 1 title of this decade at the Canal Bank on Sunday as they beat Tralee 44-13 to wrap up the crown with a game to go.

They conceded seven points to Tralee after just two minutes when out-half Damian Clarke raced over for an intercept try and conversion and he went on to account for all of his side’s 13 points.

The visitors’ 13-10 lead at the break showed their commitment and there was still only seven points between the teams midway through the second period as Richmond led 20-13 (Brian Mullins converting Gearoid Phelan’s try).

That was as good as it got for the Kerry side. Barry Woods made a fine break from a lineout to send John Deegan scampering over and then the impressive Stephen Clancy was at the end of another fine Richmond move created by number eight Dave Sheehan. Brian Mullins, who had kicked a first half penalty and conversion to add to Sheehan’s opening half try, banged over both conversions and with a lead of 34-13 you could almost feel the relief inside Richmond Park.

Two late tries, one from Niall Benson and the other from James Hayes, ensured a spirited rendering of Richmond’s version of ‘Jolly Fine Boating Weather’ and once their fourth title was secured they celebrated in style.

Winners of the Munster Junior Cup on four occasions (1936, 1943, 1946 and 1952), Richmond have been a potent force in junior rugby over the past two decades. They won their first MJL1 title in 1995, a success that was rewarded with admission to senior ranks and AIL elite and since the start of this millennium they have lifted the MJL1 trophy in 2009/10, 2011/12 and now in 2011/13. Three-in-a-row is now surely their next target.

“We’re not even thinking of that,” a delighted Buddy Clancy told us as he headed for the dressingroom. “Next week we play St Mary’s in our final game of the league when the trophy will be presented to us and next up it’s a Munster Junior Cup game against Newcastle West. Make no mistake about it, we want to qualify for the AIL next season.”

Winning his first award as a senior rugby coach, Munster’s performance analyst, George Murray had high praise for the squad: “These are a fantastic group of players and this is a great club that is trying to push forward.

“Whether we are ready for the AIL or not is a big question but as a group Richmond is focused on progressing. It is a community club, there is great togetherness and that brings them through.

Winning back to back junior leagues is a tremendous achievement because when you are champions every team wants to beat you.”

Gareth O’Hanlon this was a special occasion: “My nephew was at full-back and it is great to see amateur players showing such commitment. We trained in UL during the week, the team looked very sharp in the second half and there is terrific loyalty in Richmond.”

Richmond: Gareth O’Hanlon; Finbarr Hogan, Mike Kelleher, Stephen Clancy, James Kelly; Brian Mullins, Tomas O’Brien; Barry McNamara, Pat Humphries, Pat McNamara; Sean Bennett, James Hayes; John Deegan, Gearoid Phelan, David Sheehan. Replacements, all used, Thomas Aherne, Stefano Coppola, Barry Woods, Emmett Harty, Niall Benson.

Skibbereen 16, St Mary’s 15: Not for the first time this season there was heartbreak for St Mary’s, losing this tie in the final play of an exciting game. Dave Hogan scored an early try for the Saints who trailed 9-5 at the break but a penalty and conversion from Kevin South and a try by Brian Downey saw them lead 9-15 with minutes remaining only for ‘Skibb’ to snatch that seven pointer.