The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Bragging rights for Castleisland U18s
MUNSTER CLUB U-18 CONFERENCE 2 Castleisland 22 Tralee 13
CASTLEISLAND and Tralee met in the big local derby at the Crageens last Saturday, and it was the home side that came out on top after a pulsating battle. Tralee were favoured by the strong wind in the first half and put the Castleisland defence under some serious pressure for the opening 12 minutes of the game.
The hosts defence held firm however, and they struck for a breakaway try when Ethan Reidy picked from the back of a scrum on the half way line to scorch through the Tralee cover to score under the posts. Joe Sheehy addied the conversion to push Castleisland 7-0 ahead.
Tralee began to wrestle control of proceedings thereafter, and their endeavour was rewarded when Seamus Lyne struck a decent penalty after a sustained bout of intense pressure. The visitors continued to dominate their opponents, and on the stroke of half time Jerry Finnegan went over the line after a good line out move. Seamus Lyne was unerring with the conversion, and Tralee took a well deserved 10-7 lead in at the half time break.
Tralee started the second half as they finished the first, and once again put the Castleisland defence under some intense pressure. No score came though, and Castleisland began to gain more forward momentum.
Some strong play from their forwards saw Donal Geaney burst over the line from 5 metres out for an unconverted try. Tralee kicked off once more but a great kick from Mark Hickey found Donnach McSweeney and his chip kick saw Joe Sheehy scorch through and score another try. With Sheehy also adding the conversion Castleisland led 19-10.
Lyne for Tralee, and Sheehy for Castleisland swapped penalties, but it was to be the hosts day and they held out for the win. Castleisland now go forward to the Pan Munster competition in the new year.
MUNSTER CLUB U-16 CONFERENCE 2 Killorglin 3 Kanturk 13
KILLORGLIN were down a number of players but gave a great account of themselves against Kanturk in Ballymalis. The first half was a pretty even affair with both sides finding it difficult to breach the opposition defences.
Kanturk began to get on top however and after kicking a penalty the struck for a try to take an 8-0 lead in at the break. A number of Killorglin players played well in that opening period, with Donnacha Crowley, Darragh Mangan, Jack O’Brien, Conall Whelan, Dylan McDonough, Mile Teahan, and Jack O’Leary especially prominent.
Killorglin started the second half well and kicked a penalty through Shane O’Connor. They kept up their challenge for a good part of the second half as they chased an equalising try, but it was Kanturk who struck once more with a try of their own to claim the points.
WEST MUNSTER U-14 LEAGUE Iveragh/Killorglin 19 Castleisland 12
IVERAGH/KILLORGLIN had too much for a spirited Castleisland side in Caherciveen last Saturday. Castleisland were first off the mark with a try from Shene Browne which was converted by Padraig Heffernan.
Iveragh/Killorglin came back strongly and after some good pressure on the Castleisland defence Conall Cournane ran from his own 22 to touch down under the posts with Colin Griffin adding the conversion to level the game. Castleisland came back at Iveragh/Killorglin but the home side struck once more against the run of play when Adam Casey went over for an unconverted try to leave the half time score at 12-7.
It was all Castleisland for the first 15 minutes of the second half and Shane Browne went over for his second try of the game to level the contest. Iveragh/Killorglin changed their tactics and began to kick the ball more, but the game looked to be heading for a draw with time running out.
There was still time for Adam Casey to claim his second try of the game and break Castleisland hearts with the final whistle sounding straight afterwards.