U18.5 Bank of Ireland Munster Conference 2 - Killarney 36 Charleville and District 6
Killarney recorded a convincing win over visiting Charleville in a game twice postponed due to bad weather and clashing schedules. Killarney kicked off into a strong breeze that promised to dominate proceedings, and sure enough Charleville had much of the early territory and possession aided by the wind. Charleville got the opening score from a well taken penalty from close to half way.
However, Killarney got the opening try through Alex O'Leary as they finally strung a few phases together.
Unfortunately, the conversion was missed. Playing with the wind behind them Charleville pinned Killarney back with their kicking but a charged down kick led to the second Killarney score. Scott Carlton regathered his own chargedown and offloaded to Gearóid Sugrue who handed off a would-be tackler to race clear and score close to the posts. Finn Kennelly converted and Killarney were out to a 12-3 lead
Charleville respondeded with a penalty to reduce their deficit to 6 - Killarney 12 Charleville 6. A third and fourth try - both from Alex O'Leary - arrived before halftime to push the lead out to 24-6.
The second half was strangely more prosaic as Killarney shunned the strong breeze in favour of running the ball. Charleville gained a foot hold and it took a huge defensive set to ensure they didn't cross the line.
The near escape shook Killarney into life and Shane O'Sullivan scored the fifth try to leave Killarney leading 29-6 with a few minutes left. Then an exuberant move saw the ball moved wide and Stephen Dalton showed impressive pace to score in the corner. Gearóid Sugrue - who had taken over the kicking duties when Finn Kennelly left the field - scored a difficult conversion from the left touchline to leave the final score at 36-6
Killarney - Tries: O'Leary (3), Sugrue, O'Sullivan, Dalton; Con: Kennelly (2), Sugrue
