Defeats for Castleisland and Killarney
MUNSTER JUNIOR LEAGUE DIVISION 2
Castleisland 8 Thurles 14
CASTLEISLAND’S good run at the start of their J2 campaign came to an end when a strong Thurles side defeated them in Tipperary last Sunday.. It was a game that Castleisland might well have won, but the Thurles side were more clinical in taking their chances when they presented themselves, and showed great resolve in holding the Castleisland pack on their own line on four occasions.
The game started very well for Castleisland and they scored a try from winger Sean Nolan on 25 minutes, which came after a sustained period of Castleisland pressure. After no.8 Kieran Downey picked and drove from a scrum, Nolan went over in the corner when they spread the ball wide.
Castleisland continued to pile on the pressure and Downey was stopped by the excellent Thurles defence three times in succession as they desperately sought a second try.
After soaking up all that Castleisland could throw at them, Thurles scored a breakaway try as the half time whistle beckoned. With a successful conversion, Thurles went into the half time break 7-5 ahead.
Castleisland took the lead once more in the second period when out half Connie Reynolds struck over a penalty after 60 minutes. Castleisland failed to deal with the drop off however, and Thurles steamed in for their second converted try of the game to put them into a 14-8 lead.
It was now Castleisland’s turn to chase the game and with 10 minutes left to play Pat Fitzgerald was held up on the line by some excellent Thurles scramble defence. There was still time for more drama and in the dying seconds CJ O’Sullivan was tackled into touch when it looked like he might score in the corner. Thurles held out and were six-point victors as the final whistle sounded.
Waterford City 23 Killarney 5
KILLARNEY made the long journey to Waterford but unfortunately they came out on the wrong side of an 18 point defeat.
Killarney came into the game with high hopes of downing the home side after a 26-10 victory over them in the cup the previous weekend, but with Waterford welcoming back some key players, and Killarney down some, the reverse was to be the case.
Waterford scored two early tries and led by 10-0 after 35 minutes. Paul Moynihan did score a good try for Killarney to bring it to a 10-5 game, but 2 penalties by Waterford saw them take a 13-5 lead into half time.
The home side scored a further penalty in the 47th minute to push them 16-5 ahead. Killarney put the Waterford rearguard under ferocious pressure as they tried to find a way back into the game, but Waterford put a dagger through their hearts in the 72nd minute with a converted try to break the Killarney resistance and send the away side back home defeated.
Killarney are pointless after four league games and are in danger of making the drop to J3 even at this early stage.
Abbeyfeale 15 Castleisland 12
CASTLEISLAND played Abbeyfeale away on Sunday and the home side led 5-0 as the game approached half time. Castleisland’s Tadgh O’Shea scored a superb try as the whistle beckoned with Donnchadh MacSweeney landing the difficult conversion from the sideline. The second half saw Castleisland dominate the proceedings with Jordan Coffey, playing in the unfamiliar position of centre, scoring a great try. Castleisland now led 12-5 at the midway point of the second half. Abbeyfeale weren’t finished, and a try with five minutes remaining set up a tense finish as Castleisland were just 2 up. With time running out, Abbeyfeale struck again to snatch victory in a keenly contested game between two very good teams.
The Killorglin U-11s had the honour of playing in the half time game in Thomond Park last Saturday during the Munster v Racing92 match. Well done to Fia, Holly, Gerry, Dara, Callum,Conor, Mathew, Paddy C, Rowan, Rory, Paddy T and Damien who did their club proud.
The Corca Dhuibhne U-14s went on tour to London last weekend and played two games against Harpenden RFC and Cheshunt RFC. They were also guests at the Saracens v Ospreys European Cup game.