Memorable day in Knocknacolan as Ulster comes calling

Kanturk 12, Bangor 17

ONE would find it hard not to get blown away by how Kanturk RFC organised such a wonderful day in Knocknacolan last Saturday. The logistics alone were challenging, a staggering 150 meals, yet somehow the North Cork club pulled it off.

In the backdrop of Brexit and uncertain times, this game was a breath of fresh air. European Commission President Jean- Claude Juncker and the team in Brussels please take note.

While the Turks did not come on the right side of the score line, this was a gripping game of rugby from the kick off.

Kanturk started the game playing the same positive brand of rugby that led them to victory in Tullamore.

Some clever inter play by Ethan Roycroft and the Turks backs marched the team up the hill and into the red zone. An opening appeared and Ciaran Boyce saw the gap to score an incredible individual try.

Spectators on both sides were left speechless on the afterburners of the backrow. “Boycie’s” pace will certainly give management food for thought at set pieces in future fixtures.

The game continued to ebb and flow with both sides holding the advantage in contrasting areas, Kanturk at the breakdow and Bangor at the scrum. However towards the end of the first half half, Bangor started to get a foothold in the possession stakes.

After a series of attacks which Kanturk defence repelled on their own 22, the Ulster team Mark Weir saw a gap and kicked a grubber through. The bounce looked favourable to the Co. Down side and with the odds against Stephen McAuliffe, he instinctively held the jersey of the Ulster man. The referee had no choice but to award the penalty try and sin bin the young Kanturk out half.

At half time the score was 7-5 to Bangor.

The Ulster team continued with the momentum in the second half and went further in front through Jaime Clegg who scored under the posts. Mark Weir followed with a penalty and the deficit was now 12 points.

Somehow Kanturk showed incredible resilience and character to come back at Bangor in the final quarter.

After making some metres around the fringes the ball fell to the young bulging 6’4 Second Row Jack Bradley who took two Ulster men with him to score the try.

In a strengthening breeze Conor Cremin converted an almost impossible conversation from the touchline to leave the scoreline 17-12.

The Turks continued to control possession in the final heart stopping moments but somehow the Ulster team held out. Such was the excitement that supporters were in the middle of the field when the final whistle was blown.

Kanturk’s ever astute backs coach Darragh Meade said after the game “the lads are sickened in the dressing room, they are devastated, we left it behind us”

Some took consolation afterwards in Kanturks over 35s victory over the same opposition which Daire Lyons captained and Paul Cotter wonderfully organised.

Others took heart from the “sing song” and extra circular activities between both sets of players and supporters in the Clubhouse. The Bangor group found the tale of the Bould Thadie Quinn most amusing.

In a grateful gesture from the Bangor group, the bus dropped Kanturk aficionados to town before their onward journey up North. A special day for rugby and a great day for Ireland. Who knows, some of these unique positive Munster-Ulster vibes were felt further afield in Chicago’s “Solider Field” too.

Team: B Kelleher, E Ryancroft, M Daly, B Buckley, J Bradley, Bernie Daly, G Piggott, K Downey, C Cremin, S McAuliffe, M Healy, L McCabe, D O’Sullivan, R O’Brien.

The “OC Bar” Man of the Match: Conor Cremin. Over 35’s Man of the Match: Carlton O’Leary.

Fixtures: November 12th Kanturk v Bruff (Knocknacolan) 2.30pm.