Weekend Report December 3rd & 4th 2016

  • December 6, 2016

U14’s

The U14s made the trip to Tralee on Sunday morning.  The game was evenly matched to start with the sides level at five points all with 20 minutes gone after James Byrne touched down for Killorglin with the ball passing smoothly through the back line from a Killorglin scrum on the opposition 22.  After that our boys lost their shape a bit and deficiencies in defensive organization let Tralee in for a series of tries from their seriously speedy wingers.  There were a few bright moments: Conall Whelan almost powered over from a tapped penalty 20 m out with most of the Tralee pack hanging off him but came up just short; Aona O’Shea sniped dangerously from scrum half but lacked support; the scrum held up well despite problems early on (credit to Jack OLeary, Peadar Whelan and Kevin OCallaghan in the front row); Cillian Buckley made the play of the match with a crunching, try saving tackle. Dara Mangan, Anthony Kelliher and Derry O’Sullivan did well in general play.  Jack O’Brien carried hard throughout and got Killorglin’s second try towards the end of the second half (converted neatly by Conor Spillane) but overall it wasn’t nearly enough. Final score 37-12. Lots to work on at training Thursday (Hint: defensive lines and converting opportunities). Abbeyfeale at home next Sunday. Team: Shane O’Connor, James Byrne, Donncha Crowley, Dara Mangan, Joe Cronin Langham, Conor Spillane, Aona O’Shea, Kevin O’Callaghan, Peadar Whelan, Jack O’Leary, JP Courtney, Conall Whelan (c), Jack O’Brien, Ben O’Dwyer, Derry O’Sullivan. Subs: Sean Flynn, Kelan Golden, Anthony Kelliher, James Prendeville, James Treacy, Finnegan O’Sullivan.

U16’s

The U16’s traveled to Killarney in the last round of the Munster Conference 5 under 16. Killorglin absorbed the early pressure from Killarney who eventually broke the Killorglin defense and scored the opening try and followed up with the conversion. Killorglin regained their structure and put the phases together to string a number of tries together before the interval. Killorglin sustained the pressure after the break and were rewarded with further scores that saw Killorglin win outright. Killorglin progress on to the Munster cup competion which starts in the New Year. Well done to all boys for a great first half season performance.

U18’s

On Saturday Killorglin welcomed table topping Kanturk to Ballymais for what was a very closer affair. Kanturk started in front from start with a penalty and converted try. Killorglin struck back with a try of their own as Ruadhan O’Sullivan found Darragh O’Shea with a slick offload and Darragh fought off several tackles to get over the line.  The try was very well converted by Jim Sugrue. Kanturk then scored a further penalty and try to lead 18 -7. Killorglin kept pressing and scored a well worked try wide on the left through  Eoin Doyle again converted by Jim Sugrue. Killorglin fought hard and pressed for rest of the game with some monstrous tackles coming from the pack and some great phases built through the back line. Killorglin were unlucky in the oppositions 22 and unfortunately ran out of time with the final score reading Kantunk 18 Killorglin 14. Killorglin didn’t quite reach the heights of last week but played with great heart and commitment throughout.

Seniors

This weekend Killorglin Rugby Club Seniors traveled to Bantry for their 6th league game of the year. Killorglin were looking for their 6th win from 6 games and were not disappointed. Bantry drew first blood with a well converted penalty in front of the posts however Killorglin responded well with 4 tries of their own in the first 30 minutes. Quick hands from scrum half Fionn O’Shea and out half Luke O’Shea got the ball to John Michael Cronin O’Reilly who broke through 4 tackles to crash over the try line. Killorglin’s game pace quicken as they pushed for their second try. Rodi Healy found himself with the ball with Liam Foley streaking down the wing, Healy popped the ball into Foley’s path and his pace was unmatched as he streaked over the try line and touched down under the posts. Bantry then gave away a penalty 15 yards out from their own try line. Quick thinking from Luke O’Shea as he took a quick tap and ran nearly uncontested under the posts for the games third try. I few short minutes later Killorglin battered the Bantry try line again and Fionn O’Shea found space to touch down the ball just over the line for the games 4th try. Luke O’Shea converted all four try’s to make the score 28-3. Just before halftime Bantry struck back and through a well constructed maul they made their way over the line for their first try of the game.
The second half saw a change in the flow of the game as Bantry were not going to go down without a fight. Through Killorglin indiscipline and hard hitting attacking play, Bantry scored two more tries they were very well converted. As the game became a much tighter affair, Killorglin gained a bit more breathing room when O’Shea converted a penalty mid way through the second half. In  the dying seconds Bantry found themselves with a 22 drop out, however they were penalized for talking back to the ref and Killorglin were awarded a penalty right under the posts. Luke O’Shea iced the game with a well kicked penalty. The final whistle blew to give Killorglin their 6 league win with a final scoreline of 34-22.
Next up Killorglin take on Midleton RFC in the Munster Junior Cup on Sunday December 11 at 2pm at home in Ballymalis.