Thurles RFC get off the mark in the new season with a strong home win over Mallow

Munster Junior 1 Rugby League - Round 3

Thurles RFC 21

Mallow RFC 15

Thurles entertained Mallow in Loughtagala last Sunday in the second round of the Munster Junior 1 League. Now into their fourth season back in the Junior 1 League, Thurles had yet to register a win in this competition against Sunday’s opposition, but that was all about to change in a rip-roaring game played in perfect conditions.

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Thurles kicked off playing into the clubhouse end and, after some early pressure, had fashioned field position and a lineout just inside the Mallow 10m line. A great lineout win by Sam Quinlan and off-the-top ball had the Thurles backline in full flight, with a well-rehearsed move putting James O’Mara flying through the Mallow midfield.

A good fend and footwork saw him glide past the Mallow backfield defence and dot down close to the posts for the opening score after just four minutes. James Maher, imperious all day from the boot, off the tee and out of hand, added the two extra points to give Thurles an early 7–0 advantage.

The next phase of the game was stalemate, with Mallow being undone close to the Thurles line by a crooked throw but starting to get a foothold in the game. It was Thurles, however, who fashioned the best scoring opportunity of this period.

After 15 minutes, they swept into a flowing attack that went side to side before James O’Mara burst free into the Mallow 22m, feeding the supporting Paddy McGrath, who in turn put James Devanney away for what seemed like a perfect try in the clubhouse corner, only to be ruled out for obstruction.

Thurles were in the ascendancy at this stage, and a scrum penalty saw them gain good field position in the Mallow twenty-two. Some good phase play saw Thurles go very close to scoring, only to be denied by a stripped ball in the tackle near the Mallow line.

However, it was Mallow who struck next. A sloppy penalty conceded by Thurles for offside on a kick chase gave Mallow a penalty, which was kicked to within five metres of the Thurles line.

Thurles repelled the initial surge, but several phases later, Mallow’s No. 6 crossed for their first score despite Thurles seemingly having held the ball over the line. The conversion was missed, leaving the score at 7–5 after 38 minutes.
It took Thurles just minutes to respond.

A high tackle resulted in a Thurles penalty and yellow card, reducing Mallow to 14 men, before James Maher kicked to the Mallow 22m line. A good lineout win resulted in Thurles going to their phase play. A great carry by Sonny Dwyer was stopped just short, and Sam Quinlan looked to have made it to the line, only to be stalled inches short.

Thurles punched with the forwards twice more before outhalf James Maher demanded the ball, spotting an overload down the left and delivering a great miss-out pass to James Devanney out wide, who comfortably outstripped the Mallow wide defence to score in the corner. James Maher converted brilliantly from the touchline to push the score out to 14–5 with 40 minutes on the clock.

With time running out in the first half, Thurles had a good opportunity to clear their lines, but a miscued kick gave Mallow one last counter-attacking chance. Some poor defence by Thurles saw Mallow’s centre break free into the Thurles 22 before transferring to his winger, who coasted in unopposed near the Thurles posts. The conversion brought the halftime score to 14–12.

The first half of the second half was a bit of a stalemate. Thurles went close after ten minutes, but some sloppy work at the ruck resulted in a knock-on just five metres out.

Thurles were on top, though, and just after the ten-minute mark in the second half, they had a long-distance penalty attempt that just fell short. A great counterattack by Thurles from the ensuing dropout resulted in a Thurles penalty 40m out. James Maher nudged Thurles to within 10m of the Mallow line, and the hard-working Thurles pack went to work.

A great lineout take by Sam Quinlan, followed by a strong maul by the pack, resulted in hooker Tom McNamara crashing over for Thurles’ third try.

James Maher slotted his conversion to push the score out to 21–12 in favour of Thurles. Thurles management rolled on their best version of a “bomb squad” after 20 minutes of the second half, with Dan Lanigan Ryan, Shane Nugent, Mark Cummins, and Jack Kavanagh coming on to put their shoulder to the wheel.

The last 20 minutes of the game saw Thurles mostly on the defensive. Some silly penalties presented Mallow with opportunities. Ciaran Ryan, immense all day, was harshly shown yellow for a collapsed maul, leaving Thurles with 14 men for the closing stages.

From the ensuing lineout to Mallow on the Thurles 5m, Jason Theron, industrious all day, fashioned a great maul turnover, winning a scrum for Thurles 5m out to keep out yet another Mallow attack.

With two minutes remaining, Mallow, having won a penalty just outside the Thurles 22m line, went for posts to ensure a losing bonus point, which they converted to leave the score 21–15 with time almost elapsed. Thurles kicked off deep and closed out the game to register their first win of the campaign.

Thurles RFC: James Butler, Tom McNamara, John Shaw, Sam Quinlan, Jason Theron, Ciaran Murphy, Evan Ryan, Ciaran Ryan, Fionn Fogarty, James Maher, Dylan Shaughnessy, Sonny Dwyer, James O’Mara, James Devanney, Paddy McGrath

Replacements: Shane Nugent (for Tom McNamara), Steven Kirwan (for James Butler), Jack Kavanagh (for John Shaw), Oisin O’Gorman, Dan Lanigan Ryan (for Ciaran Murphy), Mark Cummins (for Evan Ryan), Sean Lloyd, Ridas Jablonskas.

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