Kilfeacle overcome UCC to set up Munster Junior Cup final with Garryowen

Munster Junior Cup Semi-Final

KILFEACLE & DISTRICT 28 UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK 20

At Morrissey Park on Sunday last the “Boys in Blue” started tentatively, as if the occasion of a Munster Junior Cup semi-final had gotten to them. UCC grabbed the initiative from the start and for the first 20 minutes looked menacing. However, some excellent defending by Kilfeacle meant that all UCC had to show on the scoreboard for their efforts and endeavours were two penalties from Aaron Quirke, one in the eighth minute and the other in the 19th minute, giving them a 6-0 lead.

Kilfeacle needed to get a foothold in the game and this came in the shape of their scrum. The pack were completely on top in this facet and when Kilfeacle pushed UCC off their own scrum Morrissey Park erupted, and the large crowd of home supporters were in buoyant form. Kilfeacle started to put their stamp on the game, as backs and forwards combined well to build phase after phase of good play and maintained control of the ball for long periods. This dominance was reflected on the scoreboard when in the 25th and 33rd minutes Luke Heuston kicked two penalties to bring the score to six points apiece.

In the 34th minute, Kilfeacle’s number eight Kevin Kinnane was forced off with a serious foot injury. This meant that it was an earlier than expected introduction for Rian Doody but UCC were soon to learn that Kilfeacle’s squad are a force to be reckoned with.

UCC are resilient and in 35th minute they hit back with a try by Tom McCarthy, converted by Aaron Quirke, to edge them back in front, 13-7. Kilfeacle needed to reply and once again the scrum gave them the platform to gain territory. The lineout was now performing well and an excellent rolling maul gained valuable ground before Jack McLaughlin, playing a captain’s role, crashed over for a well-deserved try. Luke Heuston kicked the conversion with the last kick of the half to make it 13-13 at half-time.

The second half started with UCC putting all the pressure on the Kilfeacle defence. UCC were back in front in the 50th minute with a try by Darragh French, which Aaron Quirke converted for a 20-13 advantage.

UCC’s blanket defence seemed to have the measure of Kilfeacle’s big ball carriers and this meant that the backs weren’t getting the opportunity to express themselves in attack.

The Cork side seemed to be comfortable in their defence so something or somebody had to knock them out of their comfort zone. That person was Gavin Heuston. Gavin started to snipe and harass and tackle like a man possessed, which meant that he drew some big hits but freed up the space outside him for his brother to orchestrate the play. The Heuston brothers were on song.

In the 60th minute Luke scored a penalty that was earned by Gavin to bring Kilfeacle closer at 20-16. Kilfeacle had once again gained the upper hand and UCC could not get out of their own half.

Kilfeacle made two changes to the front row, as James Ryan and Tom Doyle joined the impressive, evergreen Simon Barry. Cormac Ryan, having given his all, welcomed Bobby Purcell onto the pitch. These substitutions added impetus for Kilfeacle and heaped misery onto UCC. In the 71st minute Jack McLaughlin forced a knock-on with a ferocious tackle. In the resultant scrum his brother Bryan picked from the base of the scrum. UCC’s full back, winger and scrum half learned what many other teams have over the years, that when Bryan makes his mind up to do something there is no stopping him. Bryan crashed over in the corner and a set of Kilfeacle brothers had struck again. Luke Heuston nailed the conversion attempt and Kilfeacle now led for the first time by 23-20.

Kilfeacle and District were now completely on top and were hunting for another score that would most certainly seal the win. It finally came in the 79th minute when another pair of Kilfeacle brothers combined to score.

John Bourke found himself in possession of the ball, in full flight, just outside the UCC 22. He drew the tackle from the opposing winger and offloaded to the onrushing Keith Bourke, who crashed through three defenders to score in the corner.

This time Luke Heuston’s conversion attempt sailed wide but it made no difference, as the referee sounded the final whistle. It marked another historic victory on the Hill by 28-20.
Kilfeacle team coach Conor Keyes said “I thought that this was an excellent squad performance, the only negative being the injury to Kevin Kinnane, hopefully he will make a speedy recovery.
“I am proud to say and in fairness it hasn’t sunk in yet that we, Kilfeacle and District RFC, are now in the final of the Munster Junior Cup.

“We would like to thank everyone who travelled on the day and all from UCC; we thank them for a good game and wish the club the best for the rest of the season”.

FINAL V GARRYOWEN ON THIS SUNDAY
The final line-up is Kilfeacle v Garryowen on this Sunday, April 30 at 2.30pm at a venue yet to be decided.

Kilfeacle’s squad on the day was: Simon Barry, Richard Whitney, Diarmuid O’Donnell, Darragh Kennedy, Cormac Ryan, Jack McLaughlin, Bryan McLaughlin, Kevin Kinane, Luke Heuston, Gavin Heuston, Rian Doody, Keith Bourke, Darren Lowry, Killian Noonan, Kevin Doyle, Tom Doyle, James Ryan, Adam Crowe, Shane Farrell, Brian Barron, Bob Purcell, Thomas Fogarty and John Bourke.