Encouraging signs for Tipperary club despite single point defeat in Dublin

Wanderers 25 Cashel 24

Cashel left Dublin with mixed emotions on Saturday evening after a narrow 25–24 defeat to Wanderers FC, a result that ultimately yielded two valuable league points in Division 2A of the All-Ireland Rugby League thanks to a losing bonus and a try bonus.

While the disappointment of falling just short was evident, there was plenty for Cashel to be encouraged by in what was a vastly improved performance built on effort, attitude and resilience.

Cashel will, however, reflect on another afternoon where discipline proved costly. The visitors were forced to play almost 20 minutes with 14 men following yellow cards in both halves, and Wanderers were clinical in punishing those lapses.

The opening exchanges set the tone. Inside the first five minutes Cashel found themselves reduced to 14 players after a yellow card was issued for collapsing a maul. Wanderers capitalised soon afterwards when a scrum ten metres from the Cashel line was moved swiftly to the right. The extra space created by the numerical advantage allowed Wanderers to cross in the corner, though the conversion was missed. Cashel’s indiscipline was punished again shortly afterwards when Wanderers added a penalty to move into an 8–0 lead.

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To Cashel’s credit, heads did not drop. A superb break from the halfway line by the centre partnership of Flannery and Ryan split the Wanderers defence, with winger Marcel Strydom finishing well in the corner to bring Cashel right back into the contest.

Momentum swung further in Cashel’s favour when, from a scrum inside the Wanderers 22, the ball was whipped wide to Ryan O’Sullivan, who showed great composure to score in the corner. John O’Sullivan’s conversion gave Cashel a deserved 12–8 lead.

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Just as Cashel looked to take control, another penalty conceded on the stroke of half-time proved costly. Wanderers kicked to touch and drove over from the resulting maul to regain the lead. The sides went in at the break, with Wanderers edging it 15–12.

The second half followed a familiar pattern. Cashel were again reduced to 14 men and Wanderers made the most of it, adding a converted try and a penalty to extend their advantage to 25–12. At that stage the hosts appeared to have one hand on the points.

What followed was a testament to Cashel’s character. A charged-down clearance kick inside the Wanderers 22 by Joseph Lawrence was regathered by the Cashel forward, who powered over for Cashel’s third try.

Belief surged through the travelling side and it was fully restored when Dave Upton dotted down at the back of a driving maul. John O’Sullivan’s conversion reduced the deficit to a single point at 25–24 with five minutes remaining.

Both teams threw everything into the closing stages. With just a minute left, Wanderers were awarded a penalty under the posts but opted to kick to the corner in search of a try bonus. Cashel responded superbly, defending ferociously and stealing the ball back. Despite one final effort to break downfield, time ran out before Cashel could mount a last attack.

The final whistle confirmed a narrow Wanderers victory, but from a Cashel perspective there were plenty of positives to take. The performance and attitude were a significant step forward, along with the return from injury of club captain Richard Moran. However, discipline remains an area that must be addressed if progress is to continue.

Cashel now have a week off before returning to action at home against Galway Corinthians on January 24, when they will look to build on this encouraging display.

Cashel: C O’Donnell, D Upton, B Ryan, B Crosse, M Riley, R Moran (captain), J Lawrence, C Ryan, F Carney, J O’Sullivan, R O’Sullivan, J Ryan, A Flannery, M Strydom, T Townsend, J Callery, A Shirley, N Roche, M Treacy, B Twomey.

Wanderers: Rob Scully, Jamie Kavanagh (captain), Fionn Finlay, Mark O’Reilly, Simon Burke, Karl Madden, Dylan Ryan, JJ McIllraith, Dylan Kelly, David Fitzgibbon, Val McDermott, Louis McDonagh, Deon Mau’u, Mick McGrath, Cathal McGearailt, Aaron O’Callaghan, Eoghan McCaul, James Kenny, Conor Booth, Eoin O’Shaughnessy.