Thurles come out on top against Cashel in melee-marred all-Tipperary rugby tie

Munster Junior Cup (1st Round)

Cashel travelled to Thurles to take on the home side in the first round of the Munster Junior Cup on Sunday last.

The spectators were treated to a most entertaining game for the first 60 minutes, at which point the game turned into a whistle-fest following a melee that resulted in two yellow cards.  From then on Thurles took control and scored three tries to close out the game.

First blood went to Thurles with a penalty after three minutes, but five minutes later Cashel responded with an excellent try scored by Jack O’Rourke and converted by Dan O’Neill.

In the ninth and 13th minutes Thurles edged ahead with two further penalties. Dan O’Neill put Cashel ahead with a penalty shortly after that.

The game was moving along nicely, with both teams willing to run the ball. Dan O’Neill put Cashel in a promising attacking position but they did not capitalise. On 28 minutes poor defending allowed Thurles in for a try.

As half-time approached the Cashel pack pounded the Thurles line. The defence was extremely good and the inability of Cashel to see a huge overlap out wide resulted in them coming away empty-handed.

At half- time Thurles led by 14 points to 10.

Cashel upped their game at the start of the second half, as the forwards went through the phases. When the ball was eventually released to the backs Aidan O’Connor ran in an excellent try, which Dan O’Neill converted.

From the kick-off Cashel were penalised and Thurles levelled the game at 17 points each.

With 20minutes left the melee took place.
Each team received a yellow card but it had a much bigger impact on Cashel, as they lost a prop and had to adjust their team.

Another Cashel card followed for a penalty in the scrum and from then to the end Cashel were penalised numerous times.

The numerical pressure told and Thurles ran in three tries, one of which they converted. Cashel had the last word with a try scored by Liam Shine but it was too late to have an impact.

Thurles now progress to the next round and we wish them well in the competition.

Cashel team (1-20): S McCarthy, D Foley, J Evans, J Tierney, H O’Donoghue, J E O’Connor, A O’Connor, L Shine, L McCarthy, D O’Neill, M McCormack, J O’Sullivan, P Leamy, J O’Rourke, O Ó Suilleabhain, K Murphy, A Shirley, J Ryan, M Hickey, K Gleeson.