Thurles RFC hold opponents Richmond scoreless in handy home victory

Munster Junior Rugby League - Division 1

Thurles RFC 17 

Richmond RFC 0

Thurles' first team were back in Loughtagalla again for the fourth round of the Munster Junior 1 League last Sunday. After a good win on the road last week in Newcastle West, Thurles were anxious to pick up a first home league win to add to their two wins garnered to date on the road. 

Thurles having won the toss elected to play with the aid of the fresh breeze blowing in from the clubhouse end and with the sun at theirs backs. The opening phase of this game saw Thurles comfortably in control. Their first meaningful attack being set up by a rampaging run by Luke Kelly who made 30 metres beating several would be defenders. 

Thurles through a series of quick recycles and hard carries by the forwards had the away teams defence stretched, which eventually saw scrum half Seamus Holohan crash over the line for Thurles first try after 12 minutes, which was well converted by James Maher. The remainder of the first 30 minutes of the first half were scrappy whilst Thurles dominated field position and possession.

On one such occasion, Thurles conceded a turnover penalty after several close-in attempts to breach the Richmond line were repelled. Whilst comfortable at this stage the home team were not by any means out of sight. 

On 31 minutes Richmond managed to get some meaningful possession in the Thurles half, and started to string some phases together themselves and whilst they made some progress the home defence was resolute and comfortably kept their line intact but did so by conceding a penalty for offside. Richmond elected for posts but luckily for Thurles they missed their kick and Thurles were able to clear their lines from a long goal line dropout. 

Thurles pushed to add to their try tally before the half time break but had to settle for a well taken penalty kick from 30 m in front by James Maher after they won a penalty from a scrum. Half time score 10 to nil in favour of Thurles.

Thurles kicked off the second half and were immediately put under pressure with a number of good carries by the away team seeing them progress deep into the Thurles half. They managed to regain possession eventually through a turnover and clear their lines. 

This sparked the home team into life and after a good line out and good carry in mid field by Sonny Dwyer, a couple of quick rucks saw Sam Quinlan punch through a hole and off load to Luke Kelly deep in the Richmond 22 who crashed over the line despite several would be tacklers only to be denied the touch down and deemed to be held up, with 10 minutes on the clock in the second half. 

With 17 minutes gone in the second half, Seamus Holohan broke off a ruck in mid field down the blind side supported by Paddy McGrath (a second half sub for Kieran O’Hagan) who managed to get through the tackle and offload to the on rushing Eoghan O’Dwyer 45m out. 

Dwyer outstripped the Richmond cover defence and ran over the Richmond full back to dot down under the posts for what was to be the decisive score and one that pushed Thurles into a three-score lead. James Maher comfortably added the two points to leave the score at 17-0 in favour of Thurles. 

The remaining 23 minutes of the second half was to be characterised by frequent enough visits by Richmond to the Thurles half, mainly via penalties kicked to the corner, with Thurles absorbing pressure and delivering big defensive plays through dominant tackles forcing handling errors and well timed poaches getting turnovers. 

This phase of play was helped greatly by the introduction of some fresh players from the bench making good contributions, Donnacha Ryan on for Luke Kelly and Conor Moloney for Mark Cummins and props Stephen Kirwan and Dan Lee replacing John Shaw and the ever-combative Gerry McCormick at various stages. Ciaran Murphy also replaced Shane Nugent at hooker. Lee, Ryan and Murphy to their credit, had already put in 50-plus minute shifts with Thurles seconds on the previous evening in a good away win to Clanwilliam. 

The most notable moment of the final 20 minutes of this game came when Thurles having counter-attacked deep from their own 22 after strong carries by Eoghan Dwyer, had managed to get Sonny Dwyer free in space 45 m out with the line at his mercy only to be called back due to a ‘disagreement’ having broken out between various players on the halfway. 

This resulted in a yellow card for a Richmond player and a red card for Thurles centre Eoghan Dwyer and saw both teams finish the game with fourteen men. Thurles held out in the dying moments and managed to keep their line intact. 

Thurles RFC: Ger McCormack, Shane Nugent, John Shaw, Colin Nolan, Luke Kelly, Mark Cummins, Peter Kinane, Sam Quinlan, Seamus Holahan, James Maher, Cathal Hayes, Sonny Dwyer, Luke Fogarty, Ciaran O’Hagan, Eoghan Dwyer.

Subs: Ciaran Murphy; Dan Lee; Stephen Kirwan; Noah Mellor; Conor Moloney; Donnacha Ryan; Peter Wall; Paddy McGrath.