Junior Rugby Focus: Joy for Richmond after exciting final

Richmond are Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Cup winners after a hard-fought 14-8 win over Galbally in an exciting final at Clanwilliam Park.

Richmond controlled the opening half and were well worth their 6-0 half-time lead after a penalty from Brián Bennett and a drop goal by Wayne Murphy. Bennett extended the lead with a try early in the second half.

Jack O’Mullane opened Galbally’s account with a penalty, but a second Bennett penalty left Richmond 14-3 ahead. The game then went to uncontested scrums and Galbally dominated the final quarter, but their only reward was a try from Jack Hogan.

The weather caused several games to be postponed including Clonmel’s opening tie in the All-Ireland Provincial League against Enniscorthy.

Muskerry booked their place in the semi-final of the Junior Plate where they will face Nenagh Ormond away after they defeated Mallow 18-7 at Ballyanly. Tries from Dan Horgan and Joe Treacy and an Eoin Keohane penalty had Muskerry 13-0 ahead at half-time. A try early in the second half by Luke O’Brien, converted by Jimmy Glynn brought Mallow back into the game, but a second Treacy try six minutes from time ensured Muskerry would advance.

UCC caused a shock in the Frazer McMullen U20 Cup when they knocked out a fancied Lansdowne side in Dublin, 21-10, to set up an away semi-final at Cork Con next Saturday.

The students trailed 10-0 at half-time, but tries from Paul O’Regan, Liam McSherry, and Graham Smith, all converted by Bobby Smith, saw the students advance.

Cork Con received a walkover from Blackrock College, UCD defeated Shannon 41-5 at Belfield, and Young Munster lost at home to Terenure College 21-6.

In the Junior II Cup (South), Highfield are the first side through to the semi-finals after their 43-3 away win over Iveragh. Mick Milne and Steve Crowley each scored two tries for the winners and Alan Spillet, Aaron Atkinson and Paul Whitelaw got one each. Darragh O’Keeffe kicked four conversions. Mikey Houlihan replied with a penalty for the Kerry side.

Bandon defeated Dolphin 26-10 in their opening round tie. Liam Dempsey, Dermot Leahy, Adam Casey and Ryan Hayes scored tries for Bandon. Marcus Colloco kicked two conversions and Andrew Willis one for the visitors. Aidan Foley replied with a try for Dolphin and Eolann Tracey kicked a conversion and a penalty.