Thurles Rugby Notes: Solid away win for first team down in Cork

Thurles travelled to a windy Crosshaven on Saturday evening last and at last got things right and came away with the win they deserved, as usual Thurles made it hard for themselves going down 5-0 after a few minutes and got a number of players sin binned over the course of the game which made things difficult for themselves,

But the work that had been put in on the training ground started to pay off when outhalf Eamon Connolly got in for a try to level up the scores and they went further ahead when Paddy McGrath slotted over a penalty, Following some excellent play from the Thurles backs.

In the second half before Thurles extended their lead when Eoghan O’Dwyer got in for a try which Paddy McGrath converted.
Crosshaven who had good forwards worked their way back into the game assisted by Thurles’s indiscipline and Rob taking his usual rest in the bin when they scored a try.

The last quarter of an hour was pure defence from Thurles as Crosshaven kept piling on the pressure but failed to get anything from it due to the steadfast determination of Thurles not to throw away another match, and for a very welcome change they showed the grit and determination that was evident all last season.

There were excellent performances from Sonny Dwyer who showed his senior class in the centre with an excellent display of tackling and attacking the line, Eamon Connolly has fitted in well at outhalf and Eoghan O’Dwyer was his usual abrasive self, playing at fullback, Dylan Shaughnessy played well on his first start on the wing this year.

The best of the forwards were Peter Kinnane and Luke Kelly. Thomond away next weekend is next on the list next weekend date not fixed yet.

Thurles Team: Eoghan O’Dwyer, Paddy McGrath, Dylan Shaughnessy, Sonny Dwyer, Owen Byrne, Eamon Connolly, Seamie Houlihan, John Shaw, Shane Nugent, Peter Kinnane, Luke Kelly, Sam Quinlan, Mark Cummins, Rob O’Donovan. Subs Ciaran Ryan, Richie Houlihan, Jack Kavanagh, James Maher, Matthew Kelly, Luke Fogarty, Darragh Sweeney.

Sympathy:

Thurles RFC pass on their deepest sympathy to the family of the late Jimmy Lowe of Raheen in Limerick who passed away last week, Jimmy was a member of our first Tipperary Cup (Evans) win of 1957 and in the four years that he was in Thurles he was Chairman of the club twice and treasurer for two more years while he was employed in the Post Office, he was also a keen member of Thurles Musical Society, to his wife Maureen and his family our deepest sympathy to a true friend and Clubman may his soul rest easy in peace.