Badly-needed victory for Cashel in Division 2A of All-Ireland League

Cashel 12 Corinthians 5

Cashel recorded a hugely welcome home victory on Saturday with a hard-fought 12–5 win over Corinthians RFC in Round 11 of the Energia All-Ireland League Division 2A at a very busy Spafield.

Before kick-off, Cashel were delighted to host a sponsors’ appreciation lunch, which was attended by over 100 guests. The occasion was also used to present cheques of €1,000 each to Scoil Chormaic and Scoil Aonghusa following the club’s very successful Christmas Tractor Run. The event was organised by clubman Eddie Ryan, and the club is extremely grateful to everyone who supported what was a fantastic community initiative.

Conditions for the match were extremely challenging, with heavy rain throughout the afternoon and a very wet, heavy pitch. Credit must go to both Cashel and Corinthians for producing an entertaining and committed game of rugby despite the weather.

Cashel went into the game looking for their first home win of the season and were keen to build on the improved performance shown against Wanderers two weeks earlier. From the outset, Cashel played with an intensity and focus not seen for some time. Their defence was outstanding in the opening exchanges, repelling wave after wave of Corinthians attacks close to the line. Cashel’s aggressive rush defence forced handling errors and disrupted the visitors’ rhythm.

The opening score came on 20 minutes when Alan Flannery produced an excellent read to intercept a pass just inside the Corinthians half. He showed great composure to finish the move, and John O’Sullivan added the conversion in very difficult conditions to give Cashel a 7–0 lead.

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Corinthians continued to apply pressure towards the end of the first half, but Cashel’s defence held firm and the sides went in at the break with Cashel leading 7–0.

Ten minutes into the second half, Corinthians were rewarded for sustained pressure when their out half Mark Boyle crossed in the corner. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the score at 7–5 and the game finely poised.

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Cashel didn’t panic and gradually grew back into the contest. Their forwards began to assert themselves, particularly at scrum time where they won a number of important penalties. In the 60th minute, Cashel kicked one such penalty to the corner. The resulting maul was illegally stopped on the line, resulting in a yellow card for Corinthians and another penalty to Cashel.

Cashel again kicked to the corner, and this time there was no stopping the maul as David Upton powered over for the decisive try. Ben Twomey’s conversion attempt just drifted wide, leaving the score at 12–5.
Cashel managed the closing stages superbly, showing improved discipline and game management to see out a deserved victory.

The management and players can be very proud of this performance. While still very much a work in progress, the signs are encouraging and the direction of travel is positive. Cashel will need to continue improving as they now face a tough away trip to Greystones, who sit fifth in the table, seven points ahead of Cashel in eighth place.

Cashel: Noel Roche, David Upton, Brendan Ryan, Fearghail O’Donoghue, Max Riley Fox, Richard Moran (captain), Joseph Lawrence, Ciaran Ryan, Fionn Carney, John O’Sullivan, Ben Twomey, Jamie Ryan, Alan Flannery, Marcel Strydom, Tim Townsend.

Replacements: Joe Callery, Adam Shirley, Cormac O’Donnell, Brendan Crosse, Marcello Frati.