McElligott Cup: Killarney RFC v Tralee RFC
Report and photos by John O'Connell
Killarney seniors played at home on Sunday against division 2 side Tralee in the semi final of the McElligott Cup. This was the first game of the season for Killarney having had a concession from Listowel in the previous round. The opening half saw the home side dominate the attack culminating after 15 minutes in a well worked try from Shane Looney in the corner. On 28 minutes tralee scored from a penalty to bring the score to 5 - 3. On the restart Killarney again forced the attack where Tralee coughed up a penalty. Quick thinking by scrum half Paul O Sullivan to take a quick tap and pass to Paul Moynihan to break the line and score near the posts duly converted by Brendan Fuller.
Killarney again kept piling on the pressure and with some great breaks saw Callum Myres take his try well. Tralee then began to exert pressure on the Killarney defensive line with super work from the Killarney pack keeping the visitors at bay. Half time and score was 17-3 to Killarney.
The second half opened and after 8 minutes Tralee showed they were still in the game with a try and conversion. Craig McKensie Vass was introduced just after half time and used his power to make some good headway up the pitch and some width on the ball ended up with Paudie Sheahan crossing the whitewash to touch down behind the posts. Again Fuller converted. Killarney again received the ball from the off and marched up the pitch.
A solid scrum on the Tralee 10 yard line saw Dave Howard take from the back and pass to Paul o Sullivan and quick hands to Fuller for Killarney’s 5th try. From the kick off the ball found it’s way to Dave Howard who broke Tralee hearts with a runaway try under the posts. Fuller couldn’t miss this one to be fair. With the score now at 36 - 10 Killarney made changes after some injuries and had to go to uncontested scrums Tralee surged back and score 3 tries in 19 minutes.
However some resolute defending from Killarney ensured the victory and earned a home final on Sunday 19th next. Also congrats to Matt McAuliffe who made his senior debut and to the old warrior Eamon Maguire for a top class show. Also special mentions to Colin McCathy and Micheál Og Casey who’s first time at centre showed both power and guile well used. Final score was Killarney 36 Tralee 27.
Team on the day:
Padraig Sheahan. Brendan Fuller. Micheál Casey. Colin McCarthy. Shane Looney. Damien O Carroll. Paul O Sullivan. Paul Moynihan. Callum Myres. Shane Doyle. Broghan Edmonds. Bernard Moloney. Eamonn Maguire. Aaron Jones. Dave Howard. Trevor Coffey. Craig McKensie Vass. John O'Donoghue. Matt McAuliffe.
