Richmond claim Munster league

RICHMOND were crowned Munster Junior League Division 1 champions on Sunday when they survived a late Old Christians rally to get the required bonus point victory and win 27-22 at the Canal Bank.

A try by in-form winger Mike O’Friel after eight minutes gave Richmond the perfect start, ‘Christians’replied with a penalty while two minutes before the break Darragh Clancy’s penalty gave the home side a slender 8-3 lead. The early stages of the second half were anxious ones for Richmond but tries from James Hayes and Ross O’Neill, one converted by Darragh Clancy, increased the lead to 20-8 with 20 minutes remaining

With the bonus point win and the title within their grasp, the home fans really got behind their side and Gareth O’Hanlon’s try sent Richmond Park into early celebration mode. Darragh Clancy converted but the win was not yet done and dusted. ‘Christians’ fought back, scoring two converted tries in the last ten minutes and had there been another five minutes of action left, a shock result was possible.

“I’m delighted for the lads, they deserve this success because they have put in such a big effort since the start of the season,” said Richmond coach Martin Cahill.

“We are not thinking about the play-offs as yet, our focus now is on the Munster Junior Cup next week-end and trying to get a good run in that competition. It’s brilliant to be in the play-offs, we know it is going to be difficult with teams like Monivea and Skerries likely to be involved, but we’ll give it our best shot.

“I played with Richmond as an underage some years back so it is nice to have played a part in winning this league title.”

In Galbally, Kanturk had a 6-3 win. This was a highly entertaining game with the Cork side winning the tie but results elsewhere ruining their title challenge. A penalty from Danny Hayes gave Galbally a 3-0 half time lead. Kanturk levelled it on 55 minutes and with ten minutes to go they recorded a rare victory at this venue with a second penalty.

In Munster Junior League Division 2, St Mary’s won the local derby against Presentation in Rathuard with a blistering second half performance. Pres edged the opening 40 minutes and led 13-12 thanks to a Shane O’Brien try and two penalties and a conversion from Mark Phayer. They failed to score in the second half. St Mary’s upped the tempo of their game with tries by Joe Lipper and Brian Neilan adding to first half tries by Matthew Ryan and Joe Lipper and three conversions from Sean Lyons. Final score Presentation 13, St Mary’s 26.

Newcastle West also kept up their bid for promotion with a 29-16 win in Youghal. Declan Moloney got two tries for Newcastle West with Alan Roche kicking two conversions and five penalties.

In the Munster 2nds League, Young Munster beat Nenagh 26-0. Scorers for the black and ambers were Jake Considine and Declan Bannon a try each and two tries from Craig O’Hanlon. Brian Haugh kicked three conversions. Old Crescent play Shannon tonight in Rosbrien (7.30). Bruff beat UL Bohemian 21-13 while in the Women’s Munster Cup, Galbally beat Thurles 62-0.

In the Webb Cup Thurles beat Newcastle West 19-3. The Tipperary side eased their way into the next round last Saturday with a fully deserved win. Darren Normoyle’s drop goal put the only points on the board for the ‘West.’ The other game down for decision in this competition, St Senan’s v St Mary’s, did not take place as the ‘Saints’ could not field a side.