Report by Seamus Grealy, Photos by Mary McCarthy, Compiled by Liam Murphy
Killarney U18s successfully set out on their quest to retain the West Munster U18 Cup with an impressive victory over nearest rivals Killorglin in sunsoaked Ballymalis on Sat 26th. Killarney started strongly dominating possession and territory and working through controlled phases. Both sides converted early penalty opportunities kicked by Peter Walsh for Killarney and James Byrne for the home side. However the visitors ability to stretch the home defence and ramp up the pressure moving the ball wide eventually yielded first half tries for right wing Tomas Clifford, left wing Ronan Buckley and inside centre Dean Bradley Cronin. The Half time score was 20 to 3 in favour of Killarney.
Killarney were in no mood to relent after the break and following more excellent collective interplay and hard running Dean Bradley Cronin again crossed over the try line to put the fixture beyond doubt. Several scoring opportunities were squandered before a late scoring burst saw several forwards getting over the whitewash. A Padraig Talbot basketball hook pass put Brendy O Donoghue over to score against his own schoolmates. Number 8 John McCarthy broke from a scrum on half way and scorched away to touch down. With the last play of the game prop Rob Nealon crashed over for his first try for the club. Peter Walsh slotted 7 points with the boot.Well done to both teams on providing a sporting and competive spectacle and everyone involved was delighted to get back on the playing field again after a long lay off.
Killarney were led from the front on the day by an abrasive and dynamic forward unit. The front row were Rob Nealon, Brendy O Donoghue and captain Matt McAuliffe. Second row Adam McSweeney, Sam Casey, Evan Mannix and Darren Cronin. Back row Ozdenis Koyun, John McCarthy, Brendy O Donoghue and Shane Mc Allister. The backline remained unusually fixed with Peter Walsh, Donnchadh Grealy, Ronan Buckley, Dean Bradley Cronin, James Kennelly, Tomas Clifford and Mark Sheahan all impressing with speed skill and clever interplay.
Killarney begin their Munster campaign next weekend with an away fixture on Sat 3rd at 12 in Abbeyfeale. Good luck to all involved.
