Match report by Seamus Grealy, Photos by Mary McCarthy, Compiled by Liam Murphy.
The Killarney U18 squad made history on Sun 8th of March capturing regional cup honours for the first time. The game was played in wintry, heavy underfoot conditions, however all in attendance were captivated until the final exciting play. Enjoying home advantage and with the wind at their backs Tralee enjoyed early possession and probed menacingly with ball in hand testing the visitors defence.
The early dominance yielded a well worked try following fluid interchanges between forwards and backs and a sharp lateral pass from their number 9 that worked an overlap opening for the left wing to crash through. A super conversion from the touch line stretched the lead to 7. Killarney suffered an early setback when fullback Gary Randles was forced to retire however gradually they regrouped and got a foothold in affairs and yard by yard forced their way up field.Mark Sheahan slotted well into fullback covering and kicking effectively and Padraig Talbot alternated between attacking backline positions and forward lineout and scrum duties.
Killarneys lineout was functioning well with jumper John McCarthy providing a platform for a powerful maul and backline set plays. Killarneys forwards were gaining hard yards and were close to scoring on two occasions but were held up over the line by the spirited home defence. A Dion O Neill penalty from hand kept play in the home 22 and with lineout ball secured the entire forward powerplay surge resulted in Craig McKenzie Vass burrowing over near the right corner.
Tralee bounced back and forced a penalty after 25 Mins outside the 22 that was well slotted to take the score to 10 points to 5. Killarney introduced some more power from the bench with Sam Casey and Ciaran O Brien launched into the coal face and the visitors crucially struck for a second try on the stroke of half time again resorting to good old fashioned forward keepball with no 8 John McCarthy crashing over. Michael Og Casey drilled over the conversion and Killarney led 12 points to ten at the interval.
Tralee started the second half on a mission and came close to scoring on several occasions. Killarneys defence scrambled and tackled ferociously and kept the line intact. A turning point arrived and the siege was lifted when a Tralee penalty shaved the outside of the post and Killarney outhalf Donnchadh Grealy returned the 22 dropout into touch on the opposition 10 yard line. Killarney enjoyed possession and territory and pounded the line for an extended period of time. Trying to replicate first half success they repeatedly tried to pick and drive from close range however the home rear guard was valiant and well organized either holding up last ditch drives or forcing turnover penalties. It took some expansive creativity to finally unlock the defence. From a well recycled ball in prime attacking position the ball was moved left then switched right with forwards and backs handling and skip passing before Evan Mannix dived over to brings the score to 17 points to 10.
Tralee had 13 minutes to rescue a result and gallantly poured forward in waves. The Killarney tackling was resolute and powerful but the defensive line was also at times overeager giving up penalties for offside that kept the home side bouncing back. Eventually the try came when a recycled ball found Cian Regan who barged over in the left corner. The conversion would have tied the game and dramatically was on target from the touch line however into the strong wind the ball dropped short.
Killarney had 2 minutes to hold out and the experience gained in tough Munster Cup fixtures was evident when the kickoff chase pinned Tralee securely into their 22. Killarneys hunger was evident as they turned over ball, threatened the line and forced a penalty in the red zone. With the last action Michael Og Casey thumped the penalty over with the victory secured 20 points to 15 for Killarney.
The game brings an end to this breakthrough season for Killarney fielding a competitive team at this age group and competing impressively at Munster Cup level. On this final occasion as u18s we wish all the best to our more mature performers Craig Mc Kensie Vass,Gary Randles, Ciaran O Brien, Michael Og Casey, Adam Walsh, Aidan Keane, Cian Murphy and Krystian Komosa.
The following players who competed so impressively on the day and also during the season will hopefully be back for more top notch action next year. Captain Matt McAuliffe, Rob Nealon, Adam Cronin, Sam Casey,Adam Mc Sweeney, Evan Mannix, Brendy O Donoghue, John Mc Carthy, Padraig Talbot.Peter Walsh, Donnchadh Grealy, Dion O Neill, Mark Sheahan, Ronan Buckley, James Kennelly, Ozdenis Koyun,Jack O Connell and Liam Randles, Thomas Clifford.
Finally well done to the coaching team for the season Seamus Grealy, John O Connell, Bill Stack, Con Crowley, Leo Randles and Fiona Reidy.
