Tralee slightly flattered by scoreline in win over Killarney

Tralee 24 Killarney 0

THE scoreline would suggest that Tralee had an easy day out against local rivals Killarney, but in fairness it is a bit flattering to the home side who were given a firm test against a strong Killarney outfit. Tralee will be very happy to have kept a clean sheet as their 32 points conceded in the league game against Ennis the previous weekend was a cause for concern amongst their ranks. Killarney had plenty of possession for the first 25 minutes of the game but got very little change out of an uncompromising Tralee defence. Tralee then hit Killarney with a two-try blitz that changed the game in their favour, and laid the foundation for their eventual victory. The first try came in the 27th minute when Conor O Nualain touched down and two minutes later Conor’s brother Fearghail also went over the whitewash for a Tralee try. Jack Quilter did the needful and converted both tries. Killarney once again went on the offensive in the second half and with their scrum rock solid and Ger Moynihan and Alan Mulligan in great form they attacked the Tralee side in waves. The Tralee defence stood firm, however, and after weathering the storm they struck for a penalty to push them 17-0 ahead. The penalty came after a Killarney player was sent to the sin bin, and Quilter again slotted over the kick. Killarney introduced John Paul Kissane off the bench and he added drive and energy to their cause. However, with the Tralee line out flawless all day, Fearghail O Nualain struck for his second try, and Tralee’s third, in the dying minutes and Quilter slotted the conversion to put the tin hat on his side’s victory.