Club News: Week Ending 11.01.14

This week’s Club News come from Kilfeacle, Waterford City, Thurles, Richmond, Waterpark and Shannon.

If you would like to see your club on the Munster Rugby website, please send on any club news, upcoming events, match reports or photos to seangeary@munsterrugby.ie.

Click here for Kilfeacle RFC News

Click here for Shannon RFC News

Kilfeacle RFC News

Courtesy of:- Jamie Keaty, Club PRO

On Sunday last, Kilfeacle RFC welcomed Skibbereen RFC to Morrissey Park in the Munster Junior League. The weather conditions on the day were perfect for whatever brand of rugby either side wanted to play. With these two teams in close proximity to each other in the league, it was building up to be a cracker. However, as often seen with two well drilled teams, they found it a difficult task all day to break each other's defences down.

The game began with the home side on top in the pack but found it very difficult to exchange their possession and territory into points on the board. The scoreline at half-time saw Kilfeacle trail by 6-3 with Darren Lowry converting the home side's penalty. Determined not to let recent good performances and results go to waste, Kilfeacle knuckled down early in the second half which enabled John Hanly to touch down for the game's opening try in the corner. It was fitting that John scored his first try of the season on his birthday. Ten minutes later, with a penalty advantage coming, the Skibbereen fullback stroke a drop goal from the 10 metre line to give the persistent away team the lead once again by 9-8. The remainder of the game was played within the away teams half and it was their defence that dominated time after time as Kilfeacle lay siege on their line. With 2 minutes left on the clock, Kilfeacle earned a penalty which seemed to be right on the edge of Lowry's range. He pointed at the post and duly converted, giving the home team the win with a scoreline of 11-9, to the despair of the travelling support.

As reported by Tony Cooney, part of the Kilfeacle RFC management team, "It's great to be able to come from behind in that fashion. It is important that Kilfeacle capitalise on their recent run of form by keeping strong numbers training. Next week is another big game as we travel to Waterpark RFC for the next league game. As always, all support would be greatly appreciated.

Waterford City RFC News

Courtesy of:- Fintan Purcell, Club PRO

Munster Junior Division 2: Bandon 26 – 3 Waterford City
City came up against a Bandon side unbeaten this season in the league and found out why. The Waterford side started slowly allowing Bandon an opening try in the first couple of minutes. City responded well and won a penalty which Darren Walsh converted to leave the score 7-3. The rest of the first half was a good contest but a rolling maul just before the half got Bandon a second try to lead 12-3 at the break.

The effort and work rate from City was impressive but the home team were very sharp and dominated possession and territory in the second half. Despite some great defence, the Cork side managed a further two tries to win their eighth game in a row. Next up for City is Crosshaven at home next Sunday. Waterford City would like to thank their sponsors, Brennan Catering, Sun Life Financial, The Three Shippes, Kingfisher and The Premium Butcher.

U-13/14s: Waterford City 22 – 19 Clonmel
City had a good win at home against Clonmel. The win was due reward for all the training they have put in this season. Keep up the good work lads.

Thurles RFC News

Courtesy of:- Brian Scanlon, Club PRO

Munster Junior League: Ballincollig RFC 10 – 52 Thurles RFC
The Thurles First XV travelled to Ballincollig on Sunday last, in their first fixture of 2015. On what was a perfect day for rugby in Cork, Thurles travelled with a few injuries, which included Club Captain, Brian Lyons. The Tipp men didn't let this disrupt them as those who came into the fold took their chance and they recorded their third winning bonus point on the bounce.

Thurles kicked off and started brightest as Larry O'Gorman claimed the kick to set up an attack right from the off. Some good play by the pack, including the Kelly brothers Phil and Joey, brought play inside the Ballincollig 22, where Thurles stayed until, O'Gorman touched down in the corner to finish the move he had started, the conversion hit off the upright to leave the try unconverted, 0-5.

Ballincollig restarted the game, the slippery ball wasn't dealt with by Thurles and the home side were awarded a penalty as the ball had hit a Thurles player after being knocked on. The Ballincollig out-half stepped up to reduce the deficit, 3-5.

The next 10 minutes were very nip and tuck, with a lot of play taking place around the middle of the park. After defending well, Thurles started to put phases together with O'Mahony, Kinane and scrum half Nicky Irwin making good ground in attack before he was stopped in his tracks but was able to pop the ball over a Ballincollig players head, to Aidan Dwyer who was following in support. Aidan was stopped short but was able to release his arms to stretch out and increase Thurles' lead with the unconverted try, 3-10.

Thurles made their way up the field again from the restart from a clearing kick, after a great chase from Peter Coman, Shane Moloney and Adrian Bourke, they forced the error and the ball landed into Nicky Irwin's hand, who with work to do, finished from 40 yards out to touchdown beneath the posts, with the conversion being added by Aidan Dwyer for a score of 3-17.

Aidan Dwyer scored a try and kicked 6 conversions in Thurles RFC's bonus point win at Ballincollig RFC on Sunday

Just before half-time, a great break from captain Eoghan O'Dwyer put Thurles into another great attacking position, after great work and discipline from the likes of Donnacha Duggan and Ger McCormack in the build-up, it was Jason O'Mahony who drove over for a rare try in the corner, which was converted by Dwyer on the stroke of half time, with the bonus point secured, 3-24.

Thurles didn't rest on their lead in the second half, they continued to put the pressure on Ballincollig as they looked for more scores. Some great runs from John Coman, Shane Moloney and Eoghan O'Dwyer were causing the Cork men considerable problems. The pressure was eventually rewarded when Joey Kelly crossed over to keep the scoreboard ticking over with the try converted by Aidan Dwyer for 3-31.

The Tipp men were in control of this game but the management decided to introduce some fresh legs to help turn the screw, as Conor Cooney, Paddy Phelan and the 3rd Kelly brother (Dave) took to the field. A great run within minutes of coming on by Phelan, supported excellently by Peter Coman and Duggan saw the ball reach the hands of Irwin, who crossed for his 2nd try of the game (below) which again was converted by Dwyer, 3-38.

As the game entered the final 15 minutes, Thurles were still intent on attacking at every opportunity, some great counter attacking play from the back line saw Eoghan O'Dwyer rewarded with a try of his own as he raced in from out wide to touchdown under the posts for a converted try, 3-45.

Ballincollig, who by no means lay down at any stage during the game, went in search of salvaging some pride, they put a number of phases together before eventually getting a well deserved try which was converted just left of the posts, 10-45.

With just a few minutes remaining on the clock, Eoghan O'Dwyer made a superb break down the left hand side of the field, after drawing in a winger, Eoghan passed to Aidan Dwyer, who in turn passed in-field to Colm Skehan who was flying up in support, who was stopped short of the line, after a quick look, Irwin found a gap and touched down to complete the days scoring, 10-52.

This was a good team performance, with all replacements, including Ollie Delaney and Charlie Langley picking up where the men before them had left off, in taking the game to Ballincollig. This could have been a tricky tie for Thurles, as the cobwebs of the Christmas break had to be shaken off. A 3rd winning bonus in a row sees Thurles in good stead heading into a busy January schedule.

The Thurles First XV play at home next weekend against Presentation, this game may be a Saturday Night Lights game, keep an eye on Facebook or our New Fixtures sign outside the clubhouse in Loughtagalla.
The Players and management would like to thank all those who took the time to travel to Cork to support the team and also to Ballincollig who provided top class hospitality after the game. We hope to see a big crowd at Loughtagalla next weekend as we continue our promotion push this year.

Thurles Scorers: Nicky Irwin (3 Tries), Larry O'Gorman, Jason O'Mahony, Joey Kelly, Eoghan O'Dwyer (1 Try Each), Aidan Dwyer (1 Try, 6 Conversions).
Thurles Squad vs. Ballincollig: 1. Ger McCormack 2. Colm Skehan 3. Jason O'Mahony 4. Phil Kelly 5. Larry O'Gorman 6. Pete Kinane 7. Joey Kelly 8. Donnacha Duggan 9. Nicky Irwin 10. Peter Coman 11. John Coman 12. Aidan Dwyer 13. Shane Moloney 14. Adrian Bourke 15. Eoin O'Dwyer (c) 16. Dave Kelly 17. Charlie Langley 18. Paddy Phelan 19. Conor Cooney 20. Ollie Delaney, Brian Lyons, Dwayne Stanley and Eoin Long.

Thurles Second XV Gleeson League: Thurles RFC 5 – 22 Clanwilliam RFC
The Thurles Second XV had a home game on Saturday afternoon, where they took on Tipperary neighbours, Clanwilliam. Thurles started brightest, a great kick through from Michael Holohan saw Eamon Flanagan, pick up and score the opening try of the game to put Thurles 5-0 ahead.

Thurles were competitive throughout but the fitness of the Clanwilliam team told as they ran in 4 tries within the 80 minutes. This Thurles 2XV team, is one of great potential, as it proved for 60 minutes on Saturday with great numbers available for selection by the management, but with only half of the team training regularly, fitness and organisation issues will continue to be the downfall.

Ger 'Redser' O'Grady passes the ball off the back of the scrum for Thurles RFC's 2nd XV on Sunday

With a number of important League and Cup games coming up in the New Year for the 2nd XV, it would be great to have regular faces appearing on Wednesday and Friday nights at 7.30pm sharp with the aim of bringing some silverware to the club in 2015.

Thurles 2nd XV Scorers: Eamon Flanagan (1 Try).
Thurles Squad vs. Clanwilliam: 1. Willie Shaw 2. Shawn Fitzgerald 3. Sonny-Bill O'Dwyer 4. Eoin Long 5. Frank Touhy 6. Dwayne Stanley (c) 7. Ger 'Redser' O'Grady 8. Luke Kelly 9. Ollie Delaney 10. Anthony Guinan 11. Michael Holohan 12. Ciaran Ryan 13. Shane Butler 14. Eamon Flanagan 15. Tommy Connolly 16. John Shaw 17. Eddie Smyth 18. Barry Cagney 19. James Ryan 20. Michael Flanagan, Josh Doyle, Pauric Russel, Pauric Egan and Richie Holohan.

Senior Women's Friendly: Thurles Women 36 – 5 Nenagh Women
Thurles Women's RFC got the New Year off to a winning start on Sunday with a 36 – 5 victory over Nenagh in a warm-up friendly ahead of the League re-start in the coming weeks. A spirited and confident team performance and some tremendous individual performances from players such as Linda Ryan, Ruth Purcell and Aisling O'Hagan meant that Thurles were easy winners over opponents Nenagh.

Thurles opened up scoring early in the game with a skilful try from Aimee Crowe, who had a superb attacking and running game, just to the right of the posts. The conversion by Megan Callanan was confidently slotted over to give the home side an early 7- 0 lead. Moments later Stephaine Moore was in over the line for Thurles' second try, the result of a superb passage of play from Ruth Purcell. Although the conversion attempt was unsuccessful by the narrowest of margins it was clear that Thurles were in control of the game.

Thurles, despite conceding a few penalties, never looked as though they would concede a try too easily and managed to turn over and win back vital possession at crucial moments in the game. The third try of the game was scored by Rebecca Byrne who scored close to the right corner. The angle for the conversion was tight and with a strong wind the attempt went just to the right of the posts. Thurles were ahead on a score line of 17 – 0.

Ciara Quinn was the next to put her name on the score sheet with a wonderfully executed try that gave Thurles a 22- 0 lead and firm control of the game despite the missed conversion attempt. The fifth try of the game was once again a Thurles try, the scorer on this occasion was Aisling O'Hagan, who had a confident and assured performance for the home side. The conversion was dutifully slotted over off the boot of Megan Callanan to leave the score 29 – 0.

Thurles' final try came from a fantastic passage of team play with a wonderful drive from Helena Birmingham that saw her gain vital ground before a wonderful offload to Megan Callanan who scored the try right under the posts ensuring that her conversion attempt was successful. With less than five minutes remaining Thurles had a 36 – 0 lead over visitors Nenagh.

Nenagh were not prepared to go home without a score however and in the dying moments of the game secured their first and only try, their determination paying off in the end. Their conversion attempt, the final kick of the day, was unsuccessful leaving the final score 36 – 5 in favour of Thurles Women's RFC.

While there may be a touch of disappointment at having conceded such a late try when they had been firmly in control of the play for much of the game there are a lot of positives to take from the encounter. The team played with grit, determination and true team spirit. There were countless striking individual performances all over the pitch, with six individual scorers on the day and wonderful support play from the team. Ahead of their vital remaining League games Thurles Women are building a formidable team.