Narrow defeat puts dent in Kilfeacle's Munster Junior League aspirations

MUNSTER JUNIOR LEAGUE

Old Christians (Cork) 25 Kilfeacle & District 24

After defeating the league leaders the previous week Kilfeacle were on the road facing Old Christians, who are fighting for their division one status at the wrong end of the table.

Old Christians definitely started the better and Kilfeacle’s plan of not letting Old Christians get an early lead lay in tatters after they scored an unconverted try in the eighth minute.

For the first 20 minutes it seemed that maybe the loss of key personnel for Kilfeacle was too great a hurdle to overcome and something was needed to settle the ship. That something came in the 26th minute, as Kilfeacle scored their first try when Darragh Kennedy touched down under the posts and Gavin Heuston converted for 7-5.

Four minutes later Old Christians earned a kickable penalty and wrestled the lead back and stretched that lead with another penalty for 11-7.

In the last minute of the half, after numerous phases of play, Cormac Ryan went over in the corner to score Kilfeacle’s second try. The conversion kick was missed but still Kilfeacle held a narrow 12-11 lead at the break.

Once again Old Christians started the second half the better team and in the 42nd and 46th minutes scored converted tries to lead 25-12.

Kilfeacle went back to the game plan that had worked so well in the first half and tried to put pressure on Old Christians. The tireless work of Simon Barry, Rickie Whitney, Rares Stoica, Adam O’Connell, James Ryan, Paddy Finnan and Brian Barron presented opportunities for the ball carriers in the shape of Jack McLoughlin, Brian Barlow, Cormac Ryan, Darragh Kennedy and Kevin Kinnane to punch holes in the Old Christian defence. This in turn brought the backs consisting of Gavin Heuston, Keith Bourke, Shane Farrell, Darren Lowry, Killian Noonan, Kelan O’Connor, John Bourke, Kevin Doyle and James Hogan more into the game.

In the 62nd minute and after numerous phases of play involving every member of the team, James Ryan burst through to touch down for a try in the corner. Gavin Heuston’s conversion went narrowly wide.

The score was now 25- 17 for Old Christians but they were now pinned in their own half and coming under intense pressure, with wave after wave of attack.

On numerous occasions Kilfeacle came agonisingly close to scoring their fourth try but some fantastic defending, coupled with some unforced errors kept Kilfeacle out until late into injury time when Brian Barlow crashed over for a try. Gavin Heuston hastily converted, hoping that there was enough time for one more scoring chance to snatch victory.

Alas there wasn’t, and Old Christians held out for a priceless victory in their relegation battle.
This defeat puts a huge dent in Kilfeacle’s top four aspirations and means that there is no longer any room for slip-ups in the remaining fixtures.

RICHMOND ON SUNDAY

The next game is at home on this Sunday (2.30pm) against Richmond, who have now moved into joint first position in the league. The team will start this game as underdogs, with Richmond as strong favourites given their current position.

The team are proud and humbled by the support they receive and hope it will continue, so come along and support the “Boys in Blue”.