Youghal out of luck as Old Boys reign

Rainey Old Boys 27 Youghal 5

The Cork side travel to Magherafelt in a fortnight to meet their weekend conquerors in the All-Ireland round-robin tournament. On the evidence of Saturday’s match, they have no chance, but captain Roy McArdle hasn’t lost hope of progressing to the senior ranks.

“I think we met one of the best sides in the country; a side that have been involved before in national competition,” said McArdle.

“This was, for most ofour players, the first time they played outside the province, and the inexperience told.

“It didn’t help that we played very poorly in the first half. Seventeen of the 22 had never been involved in a game of this intensity before. We have time to turn it around.

“We have to travel to the north and it will be a huge task, but we’re a better side than we showed out there,” he said.

Rainey jumped in front with an 18th-minute try from Neil Seffin, converted by Jerome McMurray.

Further tries from Nathan Amos (2) and a conversion and penalty from McMurray, stretched the Ulster side’s half-time lead to 22 points.

There was no way back for Youghal, who conceded another try to John Andrews before hitting back with a Brendan Murray try.

The last quarter was more encouraging but no more profitable for Youghal.

RAINEY OLD BOYS: R. Paul, N. Seffin, G. Hogg, S. Derby, D. Porter, J. McMurray, R. Paul. N. Amos, G. Coleman, N. O’Kane, P. Boyle (captain), C. Diamond, S. McKinstry, J. Andrews, S. McGinnis.

Replacements: D. Campbell for Coleman, G. Douglas for Derby.

YOUGHAL: S. Barry, B. Mackey, T. Curran, E. Buckley, S. Barron, r. Doyle, J. Lawlor, J. Collins, S. Brosnan, R. McArdle (captain), E. Power, C. Mulcahy, C Coleman, S. McCreedy, A. Browne.

Replacements: G. McArdle for Doyle, R. Laffan for Murray, I. Broderick for Power, B. Kavanagh for Collins, M. Walsh for Barron, B. Murray for Brosnan.

Referee: J. Carvill (IRFU).