Thurles rugby second team claim tight win against Kilfeacle last weekend

Evans Cup Semi-Final

Thurles RFC 19

Kilfeacle & District RFC 14

Thurles welcomed Kilfeacle to Loughtagalla on Friday night for the Evans Cup semi final.

This was always going to be a tight affair as Kilfeacle are always a difficult team to beat home or away. The early stages of the match had Thurles in the ascendancy. Thurles pressure caused Kilfeacle to cough up a penalty with Matthew Kelly off target. continued pressure resulted in a Thurles try from JD Devaney with Kelly sending the ball through the posts from a difficult angle. Game on.

Kilfeacle responded with a try and conversion. Thurles responded and pushed Kilfeacle back into the 22. This pressure did not get its reward. Kilfeacle cleared a loose ball down the field and put pressure on the Thurles defence. Penalty.
Luckily it floated wide. At half time honours even.

Thurles hit the ground running at the start of the second half, the young back line began to create space and JD broke down the left and made it to the line. 12-7. Thurles kept the pressure on and Andrew Halloran slipped down the blind side for a classic scrum half try. Kelly obliged with the conversion. 19-7. Next score was going to be vital, Kilfeacle upped the ante and were rewarded with a try under the posts. 19-14

At this stage it was anybody's game. Thurles responded, JJ Schoeman brought his a game to the front row and along with Brandon Meany, making his debut, steadied the scrum. The pack now began to exert pressure on the opposition. Kilfeacle were pushed back into the 22. No further scoring took place.

Thurles finished the match in control, With the final whistle a tough encounter was brought to an end. This team has a nice mixture of youth and experience and now head to the final. Much needs to be worked on but Wednesday and Friday should see training become more intense.