Munster Junior League 1
CLANWILLIAM 3 KILFEACLE AND DISTRICT 34
After Kilfeacle’s defeat in the league last week ‘The Boys in Blue’ were on the road again on Sunday last facing a Clanwilliam side also in need of a win.
A large crowd of Kilfeacle & District RFC supporters travelled the short distance into Tipperary Town to cheer on their team. The game started in sunshine with a strong breeze that favoured the home side in the first half. However Kilfeacle struck first and in the 15th minute scored a pushover try which was touched down by Ricky Whitney. Luke Heuston’s subsequent conversion attempt missed its mark.
Eight minutes later Clanwilliam opened their scoring with a well-taken penalty from Darragh Burke.
The next 15 minutes followed the same pattern with Kilfeacle gaining territory but then relinquishing it with a misfiring lineout. Clan’ were making good use of the elements but just couldn’t mount any serious attacks against a very well marshalled Kilfeacle defence.
As the half wore on Kilfeacle began to look more and more dangerous every time the moved the ball. In the 38th minute they finally got the score that they deserved when numerous phases of play by the pack provided the opportunity for Luke Heuston to spread the ball wide. Some excellent breaks and quick hands form Keith Bourke, Jacques van Wyngaardt and Kevin Doyle provided the opportunity for Darren Lowry to break through a last ditch tackle and score a try. Luke Heuston added the two points and Kilfeacle had stretched their lead to 12-3.
The visitors were now in the ascendency and two minutes later scored another try. This time it was the forwards in the shape of Cormac Ryan Minor, Gavin McCormack and Bobby Purcell who gained huge territory before passing the ball on to Gavin Heuston who burst into the Clanwilliam 22 and drew a tackle from the Clanwilliam full-back before providing a sublime pass to the onrushing Killian Noonan, who scored in the corner. The angle and the breeze prevented Luke Heuston from converting. The half-time scoreline read 17-3 to the visitors.
Leading and with the advantage of the breeze in the second half, the Kilfeacle squad knew that their hard work during the first half had now presented them with a realistic chance of achieving a win.
Whatever was said to the Kilfeacle squad during the half-time interval worked and the team started the second half with renewed gusto.
With just three minutes of the second half gone Cormac Ryan Minor scored Kilfeacle’s fourth try, with the considerable aid of Simon Barry, Brian Barron, Brendan Barron, Kevin Kinnane and Brian Barlow. Luke Heuston saw his conversion sail over the bar and Kilfeacle now had a 24-3 advantage.
With the bonus point secured Kilfeacle emptied the bench to give all the squad members some valuable game time. This change in personal did not alter the course of the game as Clanwilliam were finding it next to impossible to get out of their own half. The next 15 minutes followed the same pattern with Kilfeacle attacking but unable to further their points tally.
In the 65th minute Luke Heuston nailed another penalty and Kilfeacle were now leading by 27-3.
Kilfeacle kept the pressure on hunting for another score and finally in the 77th minute Killian Noonan scored his second try after some fantastic team work from Cian Carroll, Diarmuid O’Donnell, Adam Crowe, Kyle Morris, Anthony Foley and Timothy Clarke. Luke Heuston again converted and Kilfeacle had now moved 34-3 ahead.
The Clanwilliam team now knew that their position was a desperate one and they summoned every ounce of determination and mounted an inspirational assault on the Kilfeacle line however their best endeavours on the day saw them fall short of the mark.
The final score was 34-3 to Kilfeacle and District RFC and this year the bragging rights belong to the hill.
Kilfeacle would like to thank everyone from Clanwilliam RFC for a very sporting game and wish the club the best for the rest of the season.
Kilfeacle’s squad: 1 Brian Barron, 2 Richard Whitney, 3 Simon Barry, 4 Cormac Ryan, 5 Bob Purcell, 6 Gavin McCormack, 7 Brian Barlow, 8 Kevin Kinane, 9 Gavin Heuston, 10 Luke Heuston, 11 Jacques van Wyngaardt, 12 Keith Bourke, 13 Darren Lowry, 14 Killian Noonan, 15 Kevin Doyle, 16 Cian Carroll, 17 Brendan Barron, 18 Diarmuid O’Donnell, 19 Adam Crowe, 20 Kyle Morris, 21 Anthony Foley 22 Timothy Clarke.
TOUGH TRIP AHEAD WITH CHARLEVILLE ON SUNDAY
Our next game is a tough League game away against Charleville and District RFC on Sunday next, February 18.
TRAINING STILL GOING STRONG
We are delighted to announce that the training for the underage/younger teams continues every Friday. If you missed last week’s training do not fear, as the place to be is Morrissey Park, Kilfeacle, every Friday night.
If you enjoy team sports in healthy surroundings with experienced coaches, great facilities and loads of fun then Morrissey Park is the place to be Friday nights.
