The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Tralee and Killorglin suffer narrow Cup losses
MUNSTER JUNIOR CUP Tralee 13 Fermoy 15
THERE was heartbreak for Tralee when a last minute Fermoy try stole victory over them in an enthralling tie played in almost perfect conditions at O’Dowd Park.
The game was delayed with the failure of the appointed referee to turn up. A Fermoy official stepped into the breach thereafter and did a fine job in the circumstances. The first 35 minutes of the game was an arm wrestle from both sides as they struggled to stamp their authority on the game. Tralee eventually found the breakthrough when Joe O’Connor crossed for a good try after avoiding a couple of would be tacklers to touch down. O’Connor added the spares to see Tralee take a 7-0 lead.
Fermoy fought back with intent and after establishing a good platform from a lineout, a sustained bout of pressure eventually led to an unconverted touch down from Tom Murphy. There were no further scores for the remainder of the half and Tralee took a 7-5 lead in at the half time break.
Tralee pushed their lead out further with a Joe O’Connor penalty although Eddie O’Connell kept Fermoy in touch with a penalty of his own. The game became a bit ragged at times with some loose kicking and unforced errors beginning to spoil the contest. O’Connor pushed Tralee 13-8 ahead on the three quarter mark, and it looked like the home side might hold out for a morale boosting win. Fermoy continued to press and they got their reward when Murphy crossed for try number 2, with O’Connell making no mistake with the conversion.
It’s back to league action in 2 weeks time for Tralee when they welcome top of the table Old Christians to O’Dowd Park on February 9.
Killorglin 22 Kanturk 27
KILLORGLIN welcomed top Division 2 side to Ballymalis last Sunday for the Munster Junior Cup and nearly caused a mammoth shock as they gave the Cork side a serious run for their money after an epic battle.
The first quarter of the game completely belonged to the home side. They made a fantastic start to the game when after their very first attack Josh Morell made a brilliant burst before parting to Darragh O’Shea, and the speedster made no mistake to cross the line for an excellent try, with Luke O’Shea kicking the conversion.
O’Shea slotted a penalty in the 15th minute to push Killorglin 10-0 ahead as the visitors struggled with the hosts physicality and intensity. The inevitable second try came in the 23rd minute of the game. Some excellent work from the forwards gave Luke O’Shea the platform to perform his trickery, and as he gestured to go right, a superb slight of hand saw him feed Stephen Cotter on the left for a lovely try. Kanturk slotted a penalty from the restart and Killorglin led 17-0.
The home side attacked once more and Kanturk struggled to get their hands on any meaningful possession. Try number 3 came for the mid Kerry side when Rob Lynch intercepted a pass from the Kanturk scrum half and he fed Josh Morell for his second try of the game. Killorglin now led by 22-3 and looked well in control.
Some action was needed from Kanturk and they immediately brought on 3 substitutes that had a massive influence on the game. 2 tries followed from Conor Cremin and Matt Daly, and as the half time whistle blew Killorglin’s lead was cut back to 22-17.
The momentum was now with Kanturk and Killorglin’s first half heroics were beginning to take their toll. Midway through the second half the visitors established territory and Kieran Sexton struck for a converted try. Paul O’Keeffe added a penalty soon afterwards to seal victory after a brace Killorglin effort. Killorglin are back in league action of February 9th when they travel to play Dunmanway.