Division One

this was their moment and credit to the boys in green they didn’t miss out on their opportunity deservedly taking the spoils of victory as well as the first promotion place in the J2.

The day got off to a great start as Mallow’s second XV were victorious over Fermoy away from home in the 12pm fixture. This provided a great incentive for the first XV to go out and show their wares.

Mallow settled themselves into the game using their big ball carriers to get them over the gain line. An early penalty from the boot of full back, Jimmy Glynn put the league leaders into an early lead.

After a lengthy break Mallow sought to stamp their authority on the game but it was Thurles who were next to score with a penalty of their own. Mallow were penalised when their powerful scrum was in the ascendancy on two separate occasions before they added another penalty to go 6-3 to the good.

The Avondhu side’s second penalty kick-started their challenge in earnest as they hunted Thurles in packs at every opportunity. The home cork side won a scrum 5m out. The scrum wheeled the wrong way but Mike Lenihan, who was making a welcome return to the starting 15, adjusted well and carried dynamically off the back to touch down for the game’s opening try.

Mallow added to their tally again shortly afterwards with Ronan McCarthy finding Lenihan again for a strong carry from 12m out battering his way over the Thurles try line. Just before half time, Mallow really nailed down their lead scoring their third try. Having drawn in the defence, Mallow flashed out wide showing great hands from the backs as Richard Weedle crashed through his opposite number and powered over for a brilliant try in the corner. Mallow led at the break by 25-3.

Thurles bagged their only try of the game shortly after the restart but Mallow went likely to let this one slip from here, responding well, not allowing their opponents get a foothold in the game.

McCarthy box kicked with accuracy, allowing chasers to make positive hits giving Mallow good field position. Conor O’ Donovan was next to get on the score-sheet for the leaders after Sean Glynn found him with an excellent right to left pass with O’Donovan touching down in the Sundays Well corner for his seventh try of the season - securing Mallow’s ninth bonus point of the campaign.

Brian Henry and David Walsh entered the game adding impetus to the Mallow attack. Thurles had a man sent to the bin for a poor tackle and the Cork men exploited their numerical advantage bringing play into their opponents 22 on more than one occasion.

The winners line-out operated efficiently throughout and this laid the platform for their fifth try. Timmy Fitzgerald found his man with an excellent line out throw and Mallow’s rolling maul trucked their way over the line with Fitzgerald grounding the ball for a well-deserved try.

This win guarantees Mallow promotion into Munster Junior Division 1 for next season and they will look to continue their winning streak next Sunday, which would result in them taking the league title – something they have never achieved in the past but obviously deserve after this season to remember.

Charleville play host to Mallow next Sunday in the penultimate league fixture of the year – a day that could and probably should live long in the memory for Mallow players and fans.