Cashel win in Limerick to set up juicy junior plate derby game Fethard

MUNSTER JUNIOR PLATE

UL/BOHEMIANS 15 CASHEL 25

In perfect conditions, on Sunday last, Cashel played UL/Bohemians in the Munster Junior Plate, first round, at Annacotty, Limerick and came away with a 10 points victory that was hard-earned in a thrilling encounter.

The quality of the performance was far superior to that in evidence two weeks previously in the Junior Cup. lack of games is an issue for the second teams of senior clubs and when given a run of games they can come up with encounters that are most entertaining for the supporters and enjoyable for the players.

Both teams were busy early on with UL/Bohs dominating the first quarter as they kept Cashel pinned back in their own half. The concession of three early penalties did not help Cashel’s cause but the defence was good. As they worked their way back into the game Cashel were awarded a number of penalties themselves.

On 20 minutes one was kicked to the hosts ‘twenty ’22’. The forwards went through the phases and as they drove over the try line Adam Shirley touched down for a try. Dan O’Neill added the points with the conversion.

Cashel were on top in the scrums but the UL/BOhs backs were dangerous. A great Cashel maul drove them back forty meters but the ball was lost.

Ten minutes before half time Oisin Ó Suilleabháin put in a wonderful tackle to bring down the UL/Bohs winger. However the winger managed to wriggle out of the tackle and get to his feet to score a try which was converted to level the game.
As play developed UL/Bohs kicked a ball to the visitors dead ball area. It was touched down resulting in a goal line dropout. UL/Bohs fielded and swept the ball to the winger who scored in the corner. As half-time approached Cashel were awarded a penalty on half way. Dan O’Neill kicked to the twenty two, Herman O’Donoghue soared in the lineout and the Cashel pack drove to the line. Kelan Murphy touched down to level the game at 12 points each. The conversion was missed as the half time whistle blew.

A different Cashel team came out for the second half. Three minutes in Cashel won a scrum penalty on half way. The ball was kicked inside the UL/Bohs ‘22’, the maul was set up and Kelan Murphy was in for his second try.

For the rest of the third quarter Cashel totally dominated. Oisin Ó Suilleabháin made a great run and was caught short of the line. Cashel were penalised for offside in a very good maul. Another lineout maul was pulled back for a knock on. On 55 minutes jack O’Rourke was almost over. UL/Bohs were penalised and Dan O’Neill pushed Cashel eight points ahead.

As the fourth quarter approached UL/Bohs were awarded a penalty and from the lineout they were in for a try to narrow the gap to five points. At this point the Cashel pack took over. They won a number of penalties in the scrum and kept UL/Bohs pinned back in their own half. They were almost over on 70 minutes but with the gap only five points UL/Bohs were still in the game. The result was secured by Cashel with two minutes to go when they won the ball against the head in a scrum. They went on the rampage with both backs and forwards involved. Aidan O’Connor crashed over for a try in the corner.

Final score UL/ Bohemians 15 Cashel 25.

The Cashel pack set the foundation for this victory with Sean O’Connell, Kelan Murphy and Josh Evans on top in the front row. Adam Shirley and Jack Tierney in the second row were powerful in the scrum and defence. The back row of Herman O’Donoghue, Aidan O’Connor and Liam Shine lorded the lineout. Liam Shine was outstanding as he carried throughout the game. Kieran Gleeson had a wonderful second half particularly in the lineout. Dylan Foley and Kieran Lonergan also contributed in the second half. Lee McCarthy, Dan O’Neill, Jack O'Rourke, John Ed O’Connor, Paudie Leamy, Michael McCormack and Oisin Ó Suilleabháin made up a formidable back line. Michael Hickey used his considerable experience when he came on in the second half at scrum half and Harry Fitzgerald made a number of telling runs when he got his chance.

JUICY LOCAL DERBY
Overall a very satisfactory result for the Cashel coaching team of Barry Moloney and Michael Kelly. Cashel will play league high fliers Fethard in the quarter-final on Sunday Ferbuary 26 at Spafield. It promises to be a juicy local derby.
Cashel team (1-20) S O’Connell, K Murphy, J Evans, A Shirley, J Tierney, H O’Donoghue, A O’Connor, L Shine, L McCarthy, D O’Neill, J O'Rourke, J E O’Connor, P Leamy, M McCormack, O Ó Suilleabhain, M Hickey, K Gleeson, D Foley, H Fitzgerald, K Lonergan.

UNDER AGE RUGBY
The Cashel/Thurles under 18 combination scored a late try to beat Garryowen 27 points to 26 in the Munster league at Dooradoyle.
Cashel under 16s drew with Listowal away in another thrilling encounter. Listowel scored a late try and had two efforts at the conversion to level the game at 26 points each.