County Cup glory for rock solid Turks

Kanturk 29 Clonakilty 10

KANTURK were crowned County Cup Champions for the sixth time in their history after a comprehensive victory over a dogged Clonakilty in Musgrave Park last Thursday.

The final was a thoroughly enjoyable one for the neutral and a great advert of the game of rugby. In a game that ebbed and flowed, it was the experience of Conor Cremin and the boot of Stephen McAuliffe that gave Kanturk the important early territorial advantage.

The solid platform was set up front by the excellent Conor O’Sullivan who was assisted by a wonderful backrow of Piggott, Boyce and Daly.

Great early pressure at the lineout from the Kanturk forwards gave Conor Cremin the opportunity of an early three points which he scored excellently from long range. Moments later Kanturk added to this advantage with some great interplay movement by backs and forwards that resulted in the every consistent Jack Bradley to crash over the line.

Clon responded with a penalty of their own but worse was to follow for the West Cork side when a slick backline move by Ronan O’Brien and Sean Leneghan resulted in a try for O’Brien which Conor Cremin coolly converted to make it 15-3 to Kanturk.

Kanturk extended their lead some minutes afterwards when Michael Bradley sent Sean Leneghan in for a try. Cremin converted to make it 22-3 and it looked a long way back for Clonakilty.

Clon received a lifeline before half time from a well worked try through Ger McCarthy, leaving the score 22-10 at halftime.

Clonakilty took the game to Kanturk in the second half but the North Cork side, buoyed by the contributions of several of their substitutes, not only maintained but extended their lead through the only score of the second half, a penalty try.

There were joyful scenes at full time, some tears were shed, the cup was yet again returning to the Duhallow capital for a sixth time.

Team; B Kelleher, T McSweeney, M Daly, C. O’Sullivan, J Bradley, G Piggott, C Boyce, B Daly, P O Keeffe, C Cremin, S McAuliffe, S Leneghan, S Cremin, D Fitz-patrick, M Bradley, R O Brien. Subs: E O’Callaghan, S Twomey, D O’Keeffe, G Lynes, S O’Brien. Man of the Match: Conor O’ Sullivan.

The club would like to thank the contribution of the 16th player this season, the supporters.