Munster J1 League – Thurles 12 Mallow 21

Thurles’s second league fixture this season took place last Sunday against Mallow in Loughtagala. Thurles having started the league last week with a good away win in Kanturk had justifiable reasons to feel confident that they could add to their four wins in row to date in all competitions this season and reverse the result that saw Thurles exit the challenge cup and lose vital home points in narrow 13 – 10 victory last year. On that occasion Thurles were somewhat unfortunate not to have garnered something from the game, there could be no such sentiment this time around as Mallow got a stranglehold early on this game and with their highly competent half backs and big powerful pack, they were able steer their team to a reasonably comfortable victory, despite a brave showing in the last 20 minutes by the home team.

Thurles kicked off this game playing into the club house end and into a fresh breeze which was to be a factor in gaining field position for the first half. The signs were ominous for the home team when Mallow fielded the misdirected drop off and set up a ruck outside their 22 in a central position. A quick recycle and handling by their backs released their winger down the under resourced Thurles left and making ground all the way into the Thurles 22 with good support running only for great scrambling by Thurles intercepting a misdirected pass and gave Thurles a chance to relieve the pressure. This should have been a wake-up call that Mallow were here to play and indeed they were the better team for the first half of this game. It didn’t take long for Mallow to register their first score, a penalty kick after 4 minutes. Thurles were struggling to get field position in Mallow’s half for the entire first half, ill discipline leading to turnovers and penalties with Thurles giving up penalties at an alarming rate an counteracting any momentum gained. Mallow had their first try after 15 minutes, a well placed box kick by the Mallow out half into the corner, Thurles backfield seemed to have it covered only for the Mallow winger to beat the Thurles cover to touch down in the corner. 8 – 0 to Mallow. The remainder of the first half saw Thurles get some good field position, but lineout inaccuracy and ruck infringements in the Mallow red zone gave them easy relief through penalties. Mallow through a cynical foot trip had a player in the bin and a good penalty punt to 5 m resulted in a good position for Thurles but a crooked throw gave Mallow a chance to clear their lines which was something they did with considerable ease all day through the accurate and powerful boots of their half backs. Mallow finished the half with a further penalty, after an accidental high tackle on their slipping out half saw Pater Kinane binned for the remainder of the half. Mallow converted the penalty chance to push the score out to 11 – 0 which although not unassailable was considerable given how much of an arm wrestle the first half had been.

Thurles received the kick off in the second half and knew a big reaction would be required to turn this game around. However, it was Mallow who again demonstrated the greater desire for the contest when although the kick was well gathered by Thurles lock Colin Nolan he was immediately tackled, and the Mallow winger was quickest in on the turnover whilst the rest of the Thurles pack looked on. Luckily for Thurles the attempted penalty was narrowly missed by Mallow. Thurles soldiered away for the next 20 minutes or so before a penalty and good lineout maul set up some much-needed time in the Mallow red zone. Some good phase play and carries led to Paddy Mcgrath pirouetting in from close range. Conversion missed; this left the score at 11-5 to Mallow. Despite getting back in the game Thurles’s restart woes continued, a knock on from the drop out giving Mallow some good field position. At this stage the next score was going to be pivotal, with poor Thurles tackle discipline repeatedly giving momentum back to the away side, it was most likely that mallow would be team seize the initiative.And so it was, already on a penalty advantage after series of attacks close to the Thurles 5m line, the Mallow out half placed an excellent cross field pass into the willing hands of his winger in club house corner for the pivotal score with 10 minutes remaining.  Thurles did respond and again after a reliable lineout win and maul followed by some sustained phase play saw Eoghan Dwyer beat several tackles with footwork to power his way over under the sticks which was converted by James Maher to leave the score at 18 -12. With time running out this was as good as it got for Thurles. Another high tackle penalty, that was lucky not to result in further sanction due to the number of such offenses committed during the game by Thurles. A booming penalty from the from wide on the right by Mallow taking away even the consolation bonus losing point from Thurles. Thurles did fashion a late penalty chance for James Maher which was missed to leave.

This was not good day for the home team, ill-discipline and a slow start were not what was required against a big physical outfit like Mallow who are well accustomed to operating in the top half of this league. Thurles will wait anxiously on some injuries to Matty Kelly and Paddy McGrath and take the two weeks to recover some sore bodies and pick through the bones of this one to come up with some improvements before their next outing away to Newcastle West.

Thurles lined out as follows:

Ger McCormack, Shane Nugent, John Shaw, Colin Nolan, Luke Kelly, Mark Cummins, Peter Kinane, Sam Quinlan,Ciaran Ryan, Seamus Holahan, James Maher, Cathal Hayes, Sonny Dwyer, Eoghan Dwyer, Matty Kelly, Paddy McGrath.

Subs: Ciaran Murphy, Dan Lee (for J. Shaw), Steven Kirwan (for Ger McCormack), Conor Moloney (for Mark Cummins), Donnacha Ryan, Peter Wall, Luke Fogarty (for Matty Kelly), Kieran O’Hagan.