Killarney RFC 17 Cashel-Kilfeacle 10: match report by Seamus Grealy
Killarney returned to winning ways and recorded a hard fought, well deserved victory over a gallant Kilfeacle/Cashel side.
Against the stunning snow covered mountain backdrop of Barraduff, Killarney started the game on the offensive.
Playing into a strong wind they tested the visiting defence early on but found them uncompromising. For the opening quarter both packs were locked in an equal battle for supremacy. Cashel no 10 Stephen Ferncombe had a major influence on the opening half and his huge clearances kept Killarney retreating into defensive mode. K/C enjoying territorial advantage launched several attacks mainly through their back row but strong tackling from John McCarthy, Shane McAllister, Padraig Talbot, and Brendy O Donoghue kept them at bay.
After running several close in penalties and failing to get over the tryline, K/C took the lead when Ferncombe slotted a penalty on 20 mins. From the restart Killarney managed to gain a foothold in an attacking sense and started to impose themselves. Cormac Rowe and Bailey O Sullivan were introduced to bolster the home pack. A crucial moment arrived shortly before half time when ever alert Thomas Clifford snaffled a loose ball from a ruck on the left touch line and caught the defence flat-footed, racing away to touch down. The half time score of a very even contest was 5-3 to the home team.
With the wind at their backs for the 2nd half Killarney set out their stall early on playing a territory game with clever box kicking from scrum half Peter Walsh and yards-gaining clearances from outhalf Donnchadh Grealy.
Gradually with more time on the ball and forward momentum the new center partnership of James Kennelly and Mikey Moriarty began to impose themselves. Enjoying territory and possession Killarney dominated and 12 minutes into the half they scored a vital try moving the ball impressively through several phases before full back Liam Randles entered the line at pace to cutback and sidestep over in the left corner. Peter Walsh nailed the touch line conversion to stretch the lead to 12-3.
However, as the top teams in this group have displayed so far (and to their great credit), staring defeat in the face K/C rallied. Bravely facing into the wind they ran ball wide and at speed, but were unable to penetrate as Dan Twomey, Thomas Clifford and Jack Kenneally were tackling resolutely on the Killarney wings.
However, perseverance and pressure resulted in a mounting penalty count that gave the visitors hope, and eventually an illegal tackle from John McCarthy resulted in a sin-binning. Tension mounted and for a brief period as Killarney were reduced to 13 when Tommy Clifford followed his teammate to the bin for another high tackle. K/C were now camped in the home 22, they probed and reset repeatedly in search of a try. Resolute defence from bighitters Rob Nealon, Adam Cronin and Cengiz Koyun initially held the visitors out, however impressive Munster academy player Ferncombe eventually found a gap to touchdown and then he converted to bring the score to 12-10.
Killarney however had learned a valuable lesson in Clonakilty the previous week and were set on winning ways. Kicking long into the 22 they chased hard and turned over the ball. Cleverly they set and recycled ball using dynamic forwards Padraig Talbot and Darren Cronin to penetrate before again spreading the ball out left for Liam Randles to replicate his earlier try after some scintillating passing from the backs. The final score read 17-10 to the home team.
Killarney's achievement so far winning 3 from 4 matches in the highest level of Munster competition is to be commended. The final fixture before the knockout phase takes us to 4th-placed Nenagh next Sunday with several possible permutations.(Clonakilty host Clonmel in the other clash).
Again huge thanks to senior clubmates involved in rugbyising the fabulous Barraduff Community facility and thanks to all parents who vocally supported the team and provided the impressive post-game hospitality.
Pictures from the game are accessible here: https://icphotostudio.smugmug.com/KRFC/U-16-V-Cashel-Kilfeacle-17-12/n-n7kMC5 - many thanks to Ian Cronin.
Team-R.Nealon, C.Koyun, A.Cronin, S.McAllister, D.Cronin, B.ODonoghue, J.McCarthy, P. Talbot, P. Walsh, D. Grealy, J. Kenneally, M. Moriarty, D. Twomey, T.Clifford, L. Randles, B. O. Sullivan, J. Kenneally, C. Rowe.
