So near but yet so far for Kilfeacle in Munster League defeat in Crosshaven

MUNSTER JUNIOR LEAGUE DIVISION 1

CROSSHAVEN 32 KILFEACLE & DISTRICT 24

On Saturday evening, Kilfeacle travelled to Crosshaven missing six regulars and in the first 20 minutes a much changed Kilfeacle looked disjointed. Crosshaven immediately took the game to the game to the visitors and their dominance was soon reflected on the scoreboard. Crosshaven scored a converted try in the seventh minute, with Jack O’Connell scoring under the posts. Jack O’Connell converted his own try.

In the 18th minute an excellent rolling maul by Crosshaven saw Mikey Collins touch down in the corner for a 12-0 lead.

In the 25th minute Gavin Heuston dived over in the corner to score Kilfeacle’s first try, but in the 32nd minute a long-range penalty by Jack O’Connell stretched Crosshaven’s lead to 15-5.

Two minutes before the break Graham Smith finished off an excellent move. Jack O’Connell converted this try to bring the half time score to 22-5 for Crosshaven.

As the second half progressed, Kilfeacle reversed the trend and had the better of the territorial battle in the second half, aided by the breeze. After eight minutes of concerted pressure, Kilfeacle were awarded a penalty try, which brought the score to 22-12.

In the 57th minute Kilfeacle further reduced the deficit when Ben White finished off a fine team move to score under the posts. Timmy Clarke added the two points for 22-19.

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The home support was silenced in the 66th minute when Rian Doody scored Kilfeacle’s fourth try. Timmy Clarke’s conversion attempt struck the upright but Kilfeacle had taken the lead, 24-22.

In the 75th minute Crosshaven capitalised on a Kilfeacle error with a well-struck penalty by out half Jack O’Connell and wrestled the lead back from Kilfeacle, 25-24. In the 38th minute Kilfeacle were presented with their own penalty opportunity but Timmy Clarke’s kick unluckily struck the post for a second time and Crosshaven cleared their lines.

Crosshaven were hanging on and Kilfeacle were pushing for the winner when the referee called final play. Kilfeacle threw caution to the wind and looked like scoring after Keith Bourke made a surge for the line. With only the last man to beat and a man outside him, Keith opted to pass the ball, the defender gambled and went for the intercept. Ecstasy turned to agony for the boys in blue, as Crosshaven’s Adam Kent sprinted the length of the pitch to score under the posts unopposed. Jack O’Connell’s successful conversion kick was the last kick of the game for a 32-24 win for Crosshaven that was celebrated with great jubilation by the home support and met with agonising dismay by the travelling support.

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 them.

Our next competitive action is the last Munster League game at home in Morrissey Park against Thurles RFC on this Sunday, March 12.

Kilfeacle hope to see many of our supporters there to cheer us on, as this will be a very tough and entertaining game. Kick off is at 1pm.