Cashel edge Fethard after extra-time in eleven-try Munster Plate thriller

MUNSTER JUNIOR PLATE

CASHEL 39 FETHARD 34 (after extra-time)

There have been many good games played at Spafield, Cashel this season but if there has been a more competitive or entertaining one then I have not seen it. Cashel and Fethard gave everything they had to keep the crowd entertained in this Munster Junior Plate quarter final. They shared 11 tries Cashel shading the result in extra time. They head into the semi final on March 26 against Youghal again at Spafield.

Fethard played with a slight breeze in the first half but it was Cashel who dominated early on. Their much more powerful pack had Fethard in trouble particularly in the scrums. It took them seven minutes to register the first score when Brendan Crosse powered over for a try from a lineout maul.

Fethard were unlucky to lose a player to a red card after seven minutes and they played the remainder of the game, plus extra-time, with 14 men. While Cashel were dominant in the tight Fethard were better in the loose and on 14 minutes their out-half Joe O’Connor beat two defenders to score under the posts. He converted to push Fethard ahead.

Cashel dominated the rest of the opening half with John Ed O’Connor touching down after 31 minutes. Five minutes later Fethard hit the post with a penalty. As half time approached Cashel put the ball through the hands and Michael McCormack scored in the corner for a 15-7 half-time lead.

With the breeze at their backs in the second half Cashel were expected to dominate but the opposite was the case as Fethard came at them in waves. On 63 minutes their very talented out half Joe O’Connor weaved his magic and and scored under the posts. He also converted the try.

As the game edged into the fourth quarter Fethard continued to dominate. With ten minutes left Robert Wall beat the Cashel defence and waltzed over for a try which O’Connor converted to push Fethard ahead 21 points to 15.

The writing looked on the wall but Cashel rose to the occasion. Sean O’Connell took matters into his own hands when he beat a number of tackles as he carried from half way to score a try. Dan O’Neill converted and Cashel were a point ahead. Fethard responded with a penalty to go two points ahead. Soon after they were penalised in a scrum, Cashel kicked to the corner and Sean O’Connell touched down from a lineout maul.

Still Fethard were not finished. An O’Connor 50/22 brought play deep into Cashel territory. Cashel won the lineout but as they worked their way out of danger they were penalised on their 10m line. Joe O’Connor slotted the kick and levelled the game at 27 points each. The final whistle blew and the game headed into extra-time.

Cashel dominated the first half of extra-time. They were in for a try within a minute as Jack O’Rourke finished a fine backs move with a try that Dan O’Neill converted. Shortly after Harry Fitzgerald finished off a try in the other corner and Cashel were 12 points ahead.

Fethard dominated the second period and with seven minutes left Jack Kealy went on run leaving the Cashel defenders in his wake to score under the posts. Joe O’Connor converted and once again it was game on. As time ran out Fethard got to within two meters from the Cashel line but they knocked on and the game was over.

This was a wonderful game with both sides willing to run the ball. There were many fine performances on both sides but two players stood out. For Cashel hooker Sean O’Connell was outstanding as he tackled and carried and scored two tries. For Fethard Joe O’Connor was the class player on the field. He scored two tries, kicked three conversions and two penalties and kept his backline moving right through. The pressure kick from 40m to level the game in normal time would grace any pitch.

Cashel go on to the semi final and Fethard can now concentrate on their league campaign where they are very much in contention for promotion and on this display it is very achievable.