Kilfeacle rugby taste defeat yet again in Munster Junior League
Kilfeacle & District RFC 24
Richmond RFC 31
After last week’s away loss it was vitally important to continue with a win in the league, however when the opponents were Richmond who are currently holding top spot in the league it was going to be a tough assignment. Everyone, from players, selectors, coaches and supporters, knew that if we were to take something from this game we would have to perform to the best of our ability as a team.
At 1.00pm on Sunday 22nd of January the sun was shining and the visiting side had the advantage of a strong breeze for the first half. Richmond started the game well and immediately pushed Kilfeacle back into their own 22. With nine minutes gone the visitors were awarded a penalty try to lead the game 7-0. 15 minutes later Killian Noonan scored a try for Kilfeacle which was converted by Timmy Clarke to draw Kilfeacle level 7-7.
As the half wore on Kilfeacle pushed further and further into their opponent’s territory and managed to put together some threatening attacks which Richmond were able to thwart with some excellent defending. Kilfeacle’s pack were coming to terms with their opponents and the conditions.
The forwards, pack and bench consisted of Darren Lowry, Timmy Clarke, Diarmuid O’Donnell, Gavin Heuston, John Bourke, Darragh Kennedy, Simon Barry, Rickie Whitney, Adam O’Connell, Brian Barlow, Ben White, Cormac Ryan, Keith Bourke, Jack McLaughlin, Kevin Kinnane, James Ryan, Killian Noonan, Kevin Doyle and Paddy Finnan were immense for their attacking and defensive prowess. The nearest Kilfeacle came to adding to their score was a penalty that was missed so the half ended with Kilfeacle and Richmond locked together at 7-7.
From the restart, Kilfeacle upped their intensity and had Richmond on the back foot. In the 46th minute Darren Lowry intercepted a pass in the middle of the field and raced away to touch down in the corner. Gavin Heuston was unable to convert this try so Kilfeacle now led by 12-7.
In the 50th came the turning point of the game when Kilfeacle’s captain received a yellow card for what was deemed to be a late tackle prohibiting a try being scored. It was a very costly 10 minutes during which Richmond were to score 24 points.
The first score came from the resultant penalty which saw Richmond breached the Kilfeacle defensive wall to touch down under the posts. The conversion was scored with ease giving Richmond the lead 14-12.
In the 53rd minute a very well worked line out landed the ball into the arms of the Richmond number eight, who made a surging run to touch down. The conversion attempt was scored. Richmond had stretched out to a 21-12 lead. Kilfeacle came back into the game and spent the next 3 minutes building up phases of play in Richmond.
Kilfeacle surged into Richmond 22. Kilfeacle’s fullback joined the attack but unfortunately when Kilfeacle were just metres short of scoring, a player got isolated and had the ball ripped from his grasp. Four passes later and Richmond’s winger sprinted the length of the pitch uncontested to score another try.
Once again the try was converted and now Richmond were 28-12, with the bonus point for 4 trys secured. Directly from the restart Richmond were awarded a penalty just metres inside the Kilfeacle half and the referee signalled that the sin bin was up. Richmond chose to kick for the posts. The kick scraped over the crossbar and to Kilfeacle’s dismay they were now 31-12 behind.
Jack McLaughlin’s return to the pitch seemed to stir Kilfeacle to raise their intensity and they were on the offensive immediately. The next eight minutes were all Kilfeacle and District. In the 68th minute the tables were turned when Richmond were reduced to 14 for illegally bringing down an attacking Kilfeacle rolling maul.
Within two minutes the home side scored with a great team effort finished by Kevin Kinnane. Gavin Heuston kicked a sublime conversion the score line was now 31-19 with only 10 minutes remaining.
Kilfeacle had the opportunity three minutes later to reduce the deficit even further but Darren Lowry knocked on the ball as he was crossing the Richmond line.
Kilfeacle didn’t have too long to wait until Kevin Kinnane crashed over in the corner. Gavin Heuston rushed his conversion kick which agonisingly drifted on the breeze and struck the upright.
The score was now 31-24 and Richmond were hanging on. In the 78th minute Darren Lowry provided a superb pass to the on-rushing Kevin Kinnane who burst through unopposed into the Richmond 22. Kevin was heading to touch down under the posts only to be halted by a shrill blow of the referee’s whistle.
The final pass was deemed to be forward much to the protest and dismay of the home team. The intensity of this game was a credit to both sides and the tension on the side-line in both sets of supporters was palpable.
Kilfeacle did not let this decision upset their game plan and once again went on the offensive in search of a game winning score. Even when Richmond were returned to their full complement Kilfeacle were keeping them pinned in their own 22 but for the last two minutes Kilfeacle could not get their hands on the ball.
When the last play was called by the referee Richmond dispatched the ball to touch to seal the victory.
Kilfeacle’s next game is a tough home game against Thomond RFC at 2.30pm on the 29th of January in
the Munster Junior league.
We know that our boys will give everything they have to the cause and not be left wanting, and what more can we ask for.
The team as ever are proud and humbled by the amount of support they receive and hope that their supporters will continue to come along and support the team for their remaining fixtures.