Castleisland win ends losing streak

MUNSTER JUNIOR LEAGUE DIVISION 2 Castleisland 18 Thurles 11

CASTLEISLAND bounced back from their recent bad run in impressive fashion when they secured a hard earned victory over Thurles at the Crageens last Sunday. Both clubs were in the bottom 2 in the table before the start of the game and it was obvious from the kick off that neither team was willing to concede an inch as they strived to get out of a relegation dogfight.

Played in perfect conditions on a good dry day, Castleisland welcomed back Pat Fitzgerald to their line up, and the powerful back row was instrumental in his team’s eventual victory. The forward battle was a feature of the game as neither side was willing to concede an inch, with Castleisland’s powerful pack beginning to take a grip on proceedings as the first half went on.

The home side struck first when Mike Bawn O’Sullivan touched down after some strong pressure from the pack on the Thurles line. Castleisland continued to drive forward but some poor option taking and resolute defending kept them at bay. Thurles struck back in the 30th minute with two well struck penalties from Brian O’Hagan to push the visitors 6-5 ahead as tempers began to fray at times. The last act of the first half

FIXTURES

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1 (11.30 unless stated) Munster Club U-18 Conference 2 Castleisland v Tralee

Listowel v Kanturk/Charleville Newcastlewest/Estuary v Killorglin/Killarney Munster Club U-16 Conference 2

Corca Dhuibhne v Killarney

Killarney v Kanturk Listowel/Tralee v Abbeyfeale

West Munster U-14 League

Corca Dhuibhne v Killarney (11.00) belonged to Brian Leonard who slotted over a decent penalty to see Castleisland take an 8-6 lead in at the half time break.

The start of the second half was a rather scrappy affair with both sides making some poor errors when in good positions.. The game needed a moment of inspiration and it came when Thurles’ out half Barry Sweeney took a quick tap penalty and showed snipers instincts to catch the Castleisland defence napping to touch down in the corner.

The game could easily have drifted away from Castleisland at this stage, but with Moss O’Callaghan giving a towering performance at second row, their pressure was eventually rewarded when a strong drive from Pat Fitzgerald saw him score a well deserved try. Leonard obliged with the conversion and Castleisland now led by 16-11. Thurles came back at the home side strongly but some excellent coveing tackles from Flor McCarthy and Kieran Downey kept them at bay.

The Castleisland victory was secured when Brian Leonard struck for a late drop goal after strong carries from Con Reynolds, Downey and Fitzgerald created the space and time for the out half to strike over.

The win lifts Castleisland out of the bottom two and up to 10th place in the table. They face another must win away trip to ninth placed Charleville next weekend.

Killorglin v Castleisland (11.00) Listowel v Tralee (11.00)

Girls U-18 Munster Conference A Listowel v Mallow (1.00)

Girls U-16 Munster Conference B Listowel/Tralee v Mallow (11.00) SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2 (games at 2.30pm) Munster Junior League Division 2 Charleville v Castleisland

Munster Junior League Division 3

Bantry Bay v Killarney

Killorglin v Corca Dhuibhne Mitchelstown v Tralee