Weekend Roundup Oct 5th 2026
U16’s Mitchelstown/Galbally 46–15 Muskerry
A great start to the season continues for this newly amalgamated Mitchelstown/Galbally side, with two wins from two seeing the lads sit top of the South Munster Group 2 table on eight points.
Following on from an impressive 40–17 away win over Dolphin last week, the lads produced another strong team performance at home against Muskerry.
Mitchelstown/Galbally started brightly and took control of the game in the opening half. Tries from Isaac Kenneally (2), Brian Walsh, Liam Drake (2) and Alex Fitzgerald (2), along with six points from the boot of Cathal Meade, saw the lads take a commanding 36–10 lead into the break.
The platform for those scores was laid by some excellent work throughout the team. Zack Wims, Finbarr Dann and Micheal Davern consistently made big carries and got the side on the front foot, while strong work at the breakdown from Austin Moore and Cillian O’Grady helped secure the possession needed to keep the pressure on and create scoring opportunities.
Wholesale changes at half-time disrupted the flow of the game somewhat, but the lads continued to work hard. Further tries from Isaac Kenneally and Will Fitzgibbon ensured an excellent team performance was reflected on the scoreboard.
Defensively, the work rate was equally impressive, with Josh Keane and Joe Gallagher leading the way with a strong tackle count and helping repel a number of Muskerry attacks.
The players introduced from the bench also played a huge role, bringing plenty of energy and ensuring the second half remained every bit as competitive as the first. It was a real squad effort from start to finish, with everyone who took to the field contributing to the performance.
The hard work being put in by the entire group at training is beginning to show on match days. There is still plenty to work on, but the progress being made is very encouraging and gives the lads a strong platform to build on again over the coming weeks.
Another very positive performance from the entire squad and a great start to life as an amalgamated side.
Two games. Two wins. Eight points. Top of the table.
U16’s Fermoy 12–31 Mitchelstown/Galbally
Mitchelstown/Galbally U16s continued their flying start to the season with an impressive away win over local rivals Fermoy under lights last Friday night, making it three wins from three so far this season.
The lads started brightly and spent much of the opening exchanges camped inside the Fermoy 22. Numerous tight phases and powerful carries from Micheal Davern, Isaac Kenneally, Finbarr Dann and Believe Mbala sucked in the Fermoy defence. Cathal Meade spotted the space out wide and moved the ball quickly, giving Joe Gallagher enough room to round his man and crash over in the corner for the opening try of the night.
Fermoy responded well and had opportunities to draw level, but some excellent defensive work kept them at bay. Big hits from Josh Keane, Tom O’Regan and Antony Flynn helped repel the home side before Austin Moore Mellotte produced a brilliant turnover on the ground.
That turnover provided the platform for scrum-half Will Fitzgibbon to release the in-form Brian Walsh, who danced around and through the Fermoy defence from inside his own half before touching down for Mitchelstown/Galbally’s second try. Cathal added the extras to send the lads into the break 12-0 ahead.
Fermoy rallied at half-time and came out firing, pinning Mitchelstown/Galbally back inside their own half. Eventually the pressure told, with Fermoy going over out wide following a pick-and-go from the base of a ruck to reduce the deficit to 12-5.
A change of tactic then saw Mitchelstown/Galbally begin using the boot more, exploiting the space in behind and forcing Fermoy to play from deep inside their own half. The ploy paid off almost immediately. A kick over the top was chased down brilliantly by Tom Walsh, who won the ball, made the hard yards and set up Alex Fitzgerald to finish. Cathal converted to stretch the lead to 19-5 after 44 minutes.
Soon afterwards it was rinse and repeat. Fermoy were forced to kick long and Tom Walsh gathered before carrying strongly into the Fermoy 22. Good work at the breakdown produced quick ball to release the backs, with Brian Walsh once again the beneficiary, finishing superbly for his second try of the night. Cathal then knocked over an excellent conversion from way out on the touchline to give the lads some breathing room at 26-5 with 12 minutes remaining.
Fermoy, however, had other ideas. An error from the restart handed the home side territory deep inside the Mitchelstown/Galbally half, and they took full advantage, crashing over from close range underneath the posts. The straightforward conversion reduced the gap to 26-12 and set up a potentially tense final ten minutes.
The lads showed great composure and game management from there, using territory intelligently and pinning Fermoy back inside their own half rather than allowing the hosts to build momentum.
The final say belonged to Mitchelstown/Galbally. Cathal Meade spotted the opportunity from close range, took a quick tap-and-go and caught the Fermoy defence on the hop, diving over to put the result beyond doubt and seal an excellent 31-12 victory.
Once again, this was very much a squad effort. The ability to introduce fresh legs at important moments, particularly when Fermoy were beginning to gain the ascendancy, played a huge part in turning the momentum back in our favour. The players coming from the bench brought real energy and ensured the intensity remained high right through to the final whistle.
The hard work being put in by the entire group at training is beginning to show on match day. There is still plenty to work on and improve, but three wins from three represents a fantastic start to the season and gives the lads a strong platform to build on over the coming weeks.
Final score: Fermoy 12–31 Mitchelstown/Galbally.
U14’s Mitchelstown/Galbally V Ballincollig RFC
Our amalgamated Mitchelstown-Galbally under 14s side hosted Ballincollig for a 10:30am kick-off on to start the first phase of the league. The 14s had the best possible start to the game with an early try from Scot Coughlan and it was converted by Billy Tyndall. A few handling errors prevented us from extending the lead and gave Ballincollig control of the ball. After a lot of sustain pressure, our opponents would score and would take the lead. This began the back and forth for the rest of the
game. We would enter the half with a 2-point lead thanks to 2 further try’s from Scott.
The 2nd half continued to be back and forth until the last few minutes when our 14s tired from their efforts throughout the match let in a couple of tries. This game could have gone either way, a forward pass here, a foot in touch there but all credit to the players on the pitch for a great game of rugby which ended 38-29 to Ballincollig. Our team on the day was: Billy Tyndall(C) Scott Coughlan (VC), Kieran Stewart, Nathan Black, Steven Davern, Tadhg O’Brien, Ben McCarthy-Tobin, Bobby Donovan, Cian O’Mahony, Jack Mullaly, Jacob greaves, Jonathan Greaves, Robby Joe Cunningham, Rowan O’Sullivan, Robert Fitzgerald, Jamie Collins, John Condon, Billy Roach, Daniel Stapleton, Jamie Dooley.
Thanks for all the support, it is brilliant to have the lads cheered on from the sideline and all the refreshments after the game were appreciated. Thanks also to Ballincollig for travelling to us We will be training every Tuesday night at 7:30pm at Currabowen, Mitchelstown P67H324 and every Thursday night in Galbally E34PH92, any new players welcome.
Our next league match will be away to Youghal RFC in 2 weeks’ time.
Minis Blitz 04.10.26
Our U6, U7, U8, U9 & U11’s Travelled to Clonmel RFC for a combined blitz with Clonmel RFC, Kilfeacle RFC, Carrick-On-Suir RFC and Waterford RFC.
Great fun, excellent performances all around, and plenty wins. Well done to all coaches involved.
Galbally/Mitchelstown Juniors V Douglas RFC 04.10.26
Unfortunately, the game scheduled for Sunday Oct 4th was postponed due to the assigned referee failing to show. To not allow for a wasted trip, we agreed to a joint training session followed by a short game. Thanks to Douglas RFC for Hosting.
Juniors are at home next weekend v Scariff RFC.