The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Division 3 win for Killorglin but Killarney lose
MUNSTER JUNIOR LEAGUE DIVISION 3 Mitchelstown 8 Killorglin 23
KILLORGLIN made the journey to Cork a fruitful one when they came away with a good victory. The game was played in perfectly dry conditions which meant that spectators were treated to a game of fast flowing rugby.
The visitors started the game strongly and had Mitchelstown in all sorts of trouble early on. Some good rucking and mauling had Killorglin on the front foot and their pressure paid off when Mitchelstown had a man sent to the sin bin for a high tackle. With numerical superiority, Killorglin came at Mitchelstown with all guns blazing but were shocked when Chris Noonan intercepted a pass and ran the length of the field to score an unconverted try for the home side.
Killorglin dusted themselves off and continued to pile the pressure on Mitchelstown. They were rewarded with two Luke O’Shea penalties to take a 6-5 lead midway through the first half. Mitchelstown continued to hang in there however and they regained the lead on the stroke of half time when Pa Magee slotted over a penalty. A Mitchelstown player was then shown another yellow card and it was to have dire consequences for the home side in the second half.
Killorglin attacked Mitchelstown with ferocity at the start of the second half and they were rewarded when Shane O’Neill scored a try that was converted by Luke O’Shea. The game turned into a bit of an arm wrestle thereafter but Killorglin extended their lead 30 minutes in when Luke O’Shea slotted over another penalty. Killorglin totally dominated their opponents for the remainder of the encounter and they were rewarded once more when substitute Fionnan O’Sullivan touched down to finish out the game. O’Shea added the spares once more and Killorglin made the journey back to Kerry with the points in the bag. Killorglin are at home to Scariff next Sunday.
Ennis 15 Killarney 14
KILLARNEY can consider themselves unlucky to come away from Ennis without a win as they gave a great performance before ultimately finishing second best to the home side last Sunday. Killarney started bright and soon built up a 6-0 lead thanks to two Paudie Sheehan penalties. Killarney kept the pressure up and forced the home side to concede some penalties but they couldn’t convert their dominance into further scores.
Ennis eventually began to gain some forward momentum themselves and they were rewarded when Niall O’Loughlin touched down for an unconverted try. Ennis continued to pile on the pressure for the remainder of the half and Killarney were reduced to 13 men when 2 of their players were sent to the sin bin. Ennis’ Morgan Garry tacked on a penalty before half time to see the home side take an 8-6 lead in at the break.
Paudie Sheehan added his third penalty mid way through the second half to push Killarney 9-6 ahead. Ennis came back at Killarney strongly but some excellent cover defence kept the home side at bay. They Ennis did convert a penalty however to level the game 9-9. When Killarney eventually ground their way out of their own half they were rewarded with an unconverted Liam McCarthy try to push them 14-9 ahead with time running out. There was one last kick in Ennis however and Noel Shannon touched down for a converted try to give Ennis a 15-14 lead with time almost up. Credit to Killarney who attacked once more but their long range penalty at the death fell short and Ennis claimed the win. Killarney are at home to Dunmanway next Sunday.
Corca Dhuibhne, who had a free weekend, are at home to Ennis next Sunday.