Disappointment for Kilfeacle as they face Clanwilliam in all Tipperary derby on Sunday

Munster Junior League

KILFEACLE & DISTRICT 27 CLONAKILTY 32

On Sunday Kilfeacle and District RFC welcomed Clonakilty to Morrissey Park for their League 1 encounter.

Clonakilty started the better of the two teams and after four minutes were 3 -0 up with a well-taken penalty. The visitors were using the strong breeze to their advantage, but for all their possession and territorial advantage found it very difficult to score.
Kilfeacle were slowly coming to grips with their opposition and soon forced a lineout deep inside Clonakilty’s 22. A secure throw and catch by Brian Barron and Brian Barlow saw a rolling maul drive over with Brendan Barron at the bottom for the touch down and when Luke Heuston converted it was 7-3 for the home side.

Clonakilty’s backs looked dangerous all game and in the 24th minute they once again took the lead with another impressive move off the training pitch which saw Dave Jennings score under the posts. Eoin Downey couldn’t have had an easier conversion kick to retake the lead at 10-7.

In the 32nd minute Kilfeacle had regained the lead (12-10) when after six minutes of constant pressure and some excellent carries by Simon Barry, Cormac Ryan, Gavin McCormack, Brian Barlow and captain Kevin Kinane, the scene was set for Bobby Purcell to go crashing over in the corner. The conversion kick against the strong breeze wasn’t successful.

With just minutes to go in the first half and after many phases of play Clonakilty were awarded a push over try scored by Cathal O’Regan. Eoin Downey was unable to convert the try and at the break the West Cork side were leading 15-12 having had that wind advantage for the opening 40 minutes.

At the start of the second half the travelling supporters were expecting their team to come out all guns blazing and put the game to bed. This they tried to do but met a resolute Kilfeacle team with a strong wind behind them and a new-found hunger.
In the 54th minute the referee awarded a penalty to Clonakilty on the halfway line, Kilfeacle players stopped to query the decision, a quick tap and once again Clonakilty got on top. While Kilfeacle were in some disarray the opposing backs sliced through to score under the posts, with Rory Fletcher touching downing the ball and Eoin Downey adding the two points. The visitors had had stretched out their lead to 22-12.

Kilfeacle set about their task manfully and after 64 minutes Gavin Heuston scored a try after some sterling work by Christopher Thomas, Keith Bourke, Anthony Foley and Killian Noonan. Luke Heuston couldn’t add the conversion and the score was now 22-17 to Clonakilty.

The visitors replied with an excellent individual try by Willie Tyner in the 70th minute, who managed to ground the ball before being being tackled into touch pushing their advantage to 27-17.

Kilfeacle were now up agains it with only nine minutes left. The home side, who were now starting to dominate, finally found the luck and cohesion that had eluded them up until this point. The omens were good when Luke Heuston scored a penalty in the 75th minute to reduce the deficit to 27-20.

In the 78th minute Clonakilty were struggling to get out of their own half when a loose pass was latched on to by Jacques van Wyngaardt, who ran in unopposed to score under the posts. Luke Heuston hastily converted to bring the scoreline to 27 points each.

The game was in time added-on and all the supporters knew that they were in for a nail biting finish but as Kilfeacle were to learn, Clonakilty were not going to roll over and lose their chance to win away from home.

The referee had signalled last play when Clonakilty hacked the ball through two Kilfeacle players’ legs and it seemed to be bound for touch. Kilfeacle’s defence turned to see the ball change course and into Ben Lovell’s arms. He may have still been in his own half but he was at full speed by the time Kilfeacle’s covering players gave chase. He was caught and tackled before the line but his momentum was enough to carry him over. To the home side’s dismay and for the second week in a row they had fallen prey to a last minute score, 32-27 this time.

Kilfeacle’s squad on the day consisted of 1 Brian Barron, 2 Brendan Barron, 3 Simon Barry, 4 Cormac Ryan, 5 Bob Purcell, 6 Gavin McCormack, 7 Brian Barlow, 8 Kevin Kinnane, 9 Gavin Heuston, 10 Luke Heuston, 11 Christopher Thomas, 12 Keith Bourke, 13 Anthony Foley, 14 Killian Noonan, 15 Jacques van Wyngaardt, 16 Cian Carroll, 17 Richard Whitney, 18 Rian Doody, 19 Adam Crowe, 20 Kyle Morris, 22 Shane Farrell.

CLANWILLIAM ON SUNDAY
Kilfeacle and District RFC’s next outing is the Munster Junior League against local rivals Clanwilliam FC on Sunday next in Clanwilliam Park at 2.30pm.

The team as ever are looking forward to everyone’s support on the day.