Tralee retain bragging rights at O’Dowd Park

MUNSTER JUNIOR LEAGUE DIVISION 2

Tralee 35 Castleisland 11

ENCOUNTERS between Tralee and Castleisland may have lost the lustre that they once enjoyed when both clubs were to the forefront of Munster junior rugby, but the past mattered little as both sides went out with the intent of claiming local bragging rights, and league points, at O’Dowd Park last Sunday.

The game started in whirlwind fashion with three tries in the opening 20 minutes. Castleisland were first to strike when some solid pressure led to a line-out five metres from the Tralee line. A good take and subsequent maul from the Castleisland pack saw their loose head prop James Cullinane burrow over the line for a try, with just five minutes gone in the contest. Castleisland out half Joseph Sheehy was just wide with a difficult conversion.

Tralee restarted the game and two minutes later were on level terms. Some excellent work from their forwards gave their speedy outside line some room to manoeovre, and Gavan Peevers finished an excellent move to touch down in the corner for an unconverted try.

The spectators barely had time to draw their breadth before Castleisland regained the lead once more with a Joseph Sheehy penalty in the 10th minute. Sheehy added his second penalty soon afterwards and Castleisland pushed 11-5 ahead.

The home side began to make some forays into the Castleisland half of the field, and as the first quarter wore on they started to look the better team. Their dominance was rewarded in the 19th minute when some clever thinking from Gavan Peevers saw him take a quick tap penalty before releasing Fearrall Ó Nuallain for a try in the corner. The conversion was missed, but Tralee now found themselves just a single point behind.

After the helter skelter start to the opening quarter the game began to settle down, and after some missed chances from both sides the final act of the half was left to Jack Quilter when he slotted a penalty to give Tralee a 13-11 lead at half-time.

Both sides played some good rugby in the third quarter of the game but Tralee that made the all important breakthrough in the 55th minute when a brilliant offload from

Joe Quilter saw Kevin O’Shea touch down.

The momentum was very much in the home sides favour now and five minutes later they secured their bonus point fourth try with Quilter this time turning from provider to scorer. Worse was to follow for the tiring Castleisland outfit when Conor Nuallain went over the posts for Tralee’s fifth try, with Quilter making no mistake with the conversion. Tralee were rampant, and try number six came in the 78th minute when Jamie Byrne took the honours after an excellent break from Seán Dowling.

Castleisland are now firmly rooted at the bottom of the J3 table with zero points after four games, whilst Tralee have moved into 10th position on six points. Castleisland face a must win home tie against Fethard and District next Sunday and Tralee will travel to play Thurles.