Killorglin’s title chase on course after win in Bantry

Killorglin 34 Bantry Bay 22

KILLORGLIN continued their impressive challenge for the J3 title this season with another win, this time away to Cork side Bantry Bay.

This was the visitors sixth league clash of the year with five wins already in the bag. Bantry may be a little further back in the table but that would have not meant that Killorglin would have been taking this one lightly. That Bantry talent was evident early on as the home side took the lead with penalty in front of the posts.

Killorglin responded in the best way they know how with tries, four in fact in the first 30 minutes of this one. Quick hands from scrumhalf Fionn O’Shea and out-half Luke O’Shea got the ball to John Michael Cronin O’Reilly who broke through to crash over the try line.

This try was followed by Killorglin’s second. Rodi Healy found himself with the ball with Liam Foley streaking down the wing, Healy popped the ball into Foley’s path and his pace saw him cross the try line.

Quick thinking from Luke O’Shea saw him go in for the game’s third try and minutes later Killorglin battered the Bantry try line again with O’Shea grabbing the fourth. Luke O’Shea slotted over all four conversions as Killorglin strode clear.

Bantry battled back after the break and thanks to indiscipline in the Killorglin ranks managed to get back into this one. Three tries from the Cork men made this one a tough result to call however Killorglin gained a bit more breathing room when O’Shea converted a penalty mid-way through the second half.

Luke O’Shea sealed the deal with a well taken penalty. The 34 – 22 final score-line didn’t tell anything like the whole story here however it is six from six for the league leaders who are now favourites to make a return to the J2.

Next up Killorglin take on Midleton RFC in the Munster Junior Cup on Sunday December 11 at 2pm at home in Ballymalis.