Cill Dara push Kilkenny all the way but go down in League opener

Leinster League Division 1B

Kilkenny 21

Cill Dara 17

Cill Dara RFC faced Kilkenny RFC in the opening game of the Leinster League Divisin 1B when they travelled to take on Kilkenny on Sunday last.

The game kicked off on time in what can only be described as horrendous conditions with gale force winds and driving rain going straight across the pitch that never let up throughout the entire game.

Cill Dara hit the front after ill discipline at the breakdown gave Cill Dara a shot at goal, that Bryn Moore kindly dispatched. This was to prove somewhat of a kick start for Kilkenny .

Soon after Kilkenny after some nice play crossed the line and were awarded a try that was converted.

The screw tightened and Kilkenny were soon awarded a penalty try and MJ Pendergast was sent to the bin for Cill Dara which left the score 14-3 to Kilkenny.

Another Kilkenny converted try left the score 21-3 at half-time but this was to be Kilkenny’s last score of the game .

Second half saw some interchange of penalties and some strong play from both sides .

Early in second half a nice break saw Josh Tuhakaraina (making his debut for Cill Dara cross the line after some nice work down the wing; the try was onverted by Bryn Moore to make it 21-10 in favour of the home side.

Both teams had men in the bin in the second half.

After some great teamwork Rory Conway found himself in space on the wing and made full use of it as he corssed the lineto calmly touched down under the posts , Bryn Moore slotted over to leave it 21-17 to Kilkenny.

Cill Dara were under huge pressure as the clock counts down but some super human effort saw them repel wave after wave of Kilkenny attack.

The Cill Dara line held and the score finished 21-17 to Kilkenny .

Cill Dara host Athy next Sunday 1 October with the Ger Molloy Trophy up for Grabs and the club will be hoping for a big turn-out.