Kilfeacle and District rugby suffer late loss in league away to Crosshaven

Munster Junior League

Kilfeacle and District RFC 24

Crosshaven RFC 32

Travelling to Crosshaven is never an easy task and as ever Kilfeacle and District entered this match knowing that their top 4 position in the league had been secured.

The last two wins for Kilfeacle had come at a price with many of Kilfeacle’s first choice players playing with injuries and knocks.
With two games left in the league it provided Kilfeacle with the opportunity to let injured players recuperate and give fringe players in the squad valuable experience in the cauldron of the Munster Junior League Division 1.

Due to this and the fact that the game was arranged for 5pm on Saturday evening, Kilfeacle travelled to Crosshaven missing 6 of their regular starting 15.

The decision was made to start the game with 3 more of their first choice players on the bench and give the up and coming squad members the chance to impress. The very changed starting 15 knew that if they didn’t perform well in all facets that they would not come away with the desired result.

The game started in bright, dry conditions with a strong breeze favouring the home side in the first half. In the first 20 minutes Kilfeacle looked disjointed with so many new players and players playing out of position and at this level of junior rugby if you are not performing at the correct level you will be put to the sword. Crosshaven immediately took the game to Kilfeacle.

Crosshaven’s dominance was aided by a strong breeze and was soon reflected on the scoreboard. Crosshaven scored a converted try in the seven minute after a fine move by the Crosshaven backs cut the Kilfeacle defence wide open for Jack O'Connell to score under the posts.

Jack O’Connell converted his own try. Things went from bad to worse in the 18th minute when an excellent rolling maul by Crosshaven saw Mikey Collins touch down in the corner. The conversion was missed to bring the score to 12-0 in favour of the home side.

Although Kilfeacle were struggling they understood that they were sticking with the starting team until halftime and as the half wore on they started to perform better as a unit.

In the 25th minute this good play was reflected on the board in the 26th minute when after sustained pressure Gavin Heuston dived over in the corner to score Kilfeacle’s first try. Against the wind Timmy Clarke’s conversion attempt was just wide of its mark.

The score was now 12-5. In the 32nd minute a long-range penalty by Jack O’Connell stretched Crosshaven’s lead to 15-5. In the last eight minutes of the half Crosshaven were having the better of the exchanges and in the 38th minute Graham Smith finished off an excellent move that was obviously off the training grounds. Jack O’Connell converted this try to bring the half time score to 22-5 for Crosshaven.

At half time as was planned there was a double substitution and a number of positional changes. As the second half progressed Kilfeacle reversed the trend and had the better of the territorial battle in the second half aided by the breeze.

Some of the younger members of the squad started to impress with Darragh Kennedy, Rian Doody, Ben White and Shane Farrell really catching the eye. After eight minutes of concerted pressure Kilfeacle were awarded a penalty try which brought the score to 22-12.

In the 57th minute Kilfeacle further reduced the deficit when Ben White Finished off a fine team move to score under the posts. Timmy Clarke added the two points which brought the score to 22-19 and the very vocal home support were getting worried.

The home support were silenced in the 66th minute when Rian Doody scored Kilfeacle’s fourth try. Timmy Clarke’s conversion attempt struck the upright but Kilfeacle had taken the lead 24-22. The next 10 minutes became a very nervous affair with neither side gaining the upper hand. Kilfeacle, as planned, emptied the bench in the 70th minute.

In the 75th minute Crosshaven capitalised on a Kilfeacle error with a well-struck penalty by out-half Jack O’Connell and wrestled the lead back from Kilfeacle 25-24. In the 38th minute Kilfeacle were presented with their own penalty opportunity but Timmy Clarke’s kick unluckily struck the post for a second time and Crosshaven cleared their lines.

Crosshaven were hanging on and Kilfeacle were pushing for the winner when the referee called final play. Kilfeacle threw caution to the wind and looked like scoring after Keith Bourke made a surge for the line with only the last man to beat and a man outside him Keith opted to pass the ball, the defender gambled and went for the intercept.

Ecstasy turned to agony for the boys in blue as Crosshaven’s Adam Kent sprinted the length of the pitch to score under the posts unopposed. Jack O’Connell’s successful conversion kick was the last kick of the game.

The 32-24 win for Crosshaven was celebrated with great jubilation by the home support and met with agonising dismay by the travelling support. This was a tough encounter that showed plenty of effort and skill from both teams.

Kilfeacle’s next competitive action is the last Munster league game at home in Morrissey Park against Thurles RFC on Sunday March 13th. Kick off is at 2.30pm.