Crosshaven too strong for Mallow RFC in O’Neill Cup final

Crosshaven RFC 24 Mallow RFC 8

Mallow RFC visited Cobh Pirates RFC last Sunday to take on Munster Division 2 League champions, Crosshaven RFC in the final of the O’Neill Cup. Mallow were short of six frontline players for this match, due mostly to injury. A backlog of fixtures over the past 6 weeks has seen Mallow’s ranks hampered with injuries right at the business end of the season. With the league out of the way and Mallow’s fifth place in the table guaranteed, attention once again turned to knockout rugby.

Playing their second game in four days, this was always going to be a tough hill to climb. Mallow however did put on a spirited performance and right from the off, demonstrated their intent. Their defence was key to their strong first half performance. Crosshaven had travelled with considerable bulk and sought to out-muscle their counterparts in the early stages. Eventually they overpowered Mallow and crossed after 15 minutes for the games opening score, thanks to their big ball carriers carrying hard around the corner and off 9.

Crosshaven scored a converted try to leave the score 12-0. Mallow responded well however and put Crosshaven on the back foot, so much so that they had a winger sin-binned for repeat penalty infringements. Mallow identified this and produced a try of excellence.

Off a scrum near the middle of the pitch, David Breen expertly cross field kicked to David Walsh who gathered and send a superlative no-look pass around the corner to the onrushing Mike Sweeney. He raced away like a freight train down the line, handing off the cover defender before diving for the corner to score Mallow’s opening try. Jimmy Glynn converted a penalty on the stroke of half time to make it 12-8.

The rain continued to hammer down as the second half began. With their tails up following a very positive first half, Mallow tried to play territory right from the off. Crosshaven were well able to deal with any early pressure and themselves crossed the whitewash relatively early in the half.

With Mallow’s lineout misfiring, Crosshaven managed to win possession at set-piece and turn it into points. Missed tackles and missed touchline kicks from penalties saw the north cork side shoot themselves in the foot and concede further points. Crosshaven eventually doubled their score and deservedly ran out 24-8 winners.

It was an unfortunate end in this particular competition, one which Mallow had set their sights on winning.

Up next for Mallow is a trip to Ennis to play the Munster Junior Plate semi-final this Sunday. As the current season drags on, this competition does offer some light at the end of the tunnel, with the reward being a final in Musgrave on Sunday, May 13 against Old Christians. If able to travel, your support in Ennis would be very much appreciated.

VASS Motors MOTM: Mike Sweeney

Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate semi-final

Sunday, May 6

Ennis RFC v Mallow RFC Ennis, 2.30pm