Munster J1 League – Thurles 16 – Clanwilliam 7

Thurles entertained Clanwilliam in Loughtagala in round ten of the Munster Junior league. The home side were looking to rediscover some form after a run of three losses in a row in the league since early December, Clanwilliam were desperately in need of points to keep their slim hopes of maintaining division one status for another year. In perfect conditions Thurles started the game brightly, but the early exchanges showed that Clanwilliam, despite their lowly league position, were well capable of causing an upset particularly when they moved the ball quickly. Thurles however after resisting some early Clan pressure took the lead on the ten-minute mark, a well taken penalty by James Maher after good approach phase play by Thurles resulted in Clan straying offside in defence. Clan responded well and were soon putting pressure on Thurles a series of penalties and quick taps bringing them to with five metres of the line. Thurles managed to keep their line intact with a good disciplined defensive set, Sam Quinlan managing to turnover at the ruck to give Thurles the chance to relieve the pressure. It took Thurles another 20 minutes to register another score, but in the intervening twenty minutes Thurles were twice denied when held up over the line, on one occasion knocking on, and also had a possible try ruled out due to a double latch. Mark Cummins touched down after a great break by Cathal Hayes only for the latter to be called for a foot in touch. Thurles’s eventual try came from a sequence of attacks where Thurles turned over possession whilst over the Clan try line on three occasions, on the third a goal line drop out fell to Sam Quinlan who carried back well into the Clan twenty two, from the ensuing ruck James Maher fed Sonny Dwyer on a hard line and the centre powered his way in past a number of defenders to score by the posts. Thurles were playing well but the concern with half time approaching was that a lot of good opportunities were spurned and the scoreline was only 10 to nil and very much with range of a Clanwilliam recovery. Thurles concluded the half by winning a penalty twenty-fivemetres out on the left, after a series of penalties and good touch finds by James Maher won Thurles good field position, unfortunately Maher could not add to the Thurles points tally before half time.

Thurles kicked off the second half, Luke Kelly getting to the drop off first and off-loading to Sam Quinlan who made good ground to the Clan twenty-two, from the ensuing ruck a high tackle by Clan resulted in a penalty chance for Thurles with just minute gone twenty metres straight in front. James Maher kicked the goal and Thurles were out to a 13 to 0 lead. The next ten minutes of the game belonged to Clan, a series of penalties resulted in good field position for away sideeventually resulting in a five metre lineout at the Thurles end, Thurles managed a great steal at the lineout and cleared downfield. But the kick landed in field and was fielded by the onrushing Clan full back Niall Sharpe, a combination ofexcellent pace and footwork and poor kick chase by Thurles saw him dance his way in from forty metres under the Thurles posts, 13-7 in favour of Thurles and game on. Ciaran Ryan introduced in the backrow for Colin Nolan, just after half time, was having a big influence before falling foul of the referee, seeing yellow for a counter ruck offense, after Thurles were on a warning for persistent penalties on 53 minutes. Two minutes later his captain was yellow carded for high tackle leaving Thurles with just thirteen on the field for the next eight minutes. Thurles managed this period very well and managed to add to their score with another James Maher penalty from 25 metres in front with twenty minutes gone in the second half. This concluded the scoring for the day, Thurles started to freshen up some tiring bodies, Stephen Kirwan replacing John Shaw, Jack Kavanagh replacing Gerry McCormack and Donnacha Ryan on for the tireless Mark Cummins. Noah Mellors took over seamlessly from the injured Seamie Holahan. Ciaran Murphy took over at hooker from Shane Nugent hitting all his lineouts. The last twenty minutes saw few opportunities for either side to add to their tallies, but Thurles managed the game out well and can take heart form a generally good performance. The forwards as usual put in a big shift. Overall work rate and commitment from the outset was there, with lineout and scrum functioning well, and but for some ‘white line’ fever they may have added to Thurles solitary try on the day. Luke Fogarty at outside centre is forming a very solid partnership in both attack and defence with his more experienced partner Sonny Dwyer at inside centre in the absence of the injured Eoin Dwyer. Newcomers in the back three, Sean McGrath and Jack Flanagan, the latter more accustomed to fly half, are finding their feet well in the back three beside the ever-present Cathal Hayes. Man of the match James Maher had a good outing at flyhalf particularly from the boot as did his half back partner Seamie Holohan before being replaced due to injury. This was a welcome return to winning ways for the home side, hard fought with lots to work on before Thurles welcome Midleton to Loughtagala for the Munster Junior Cup next weekend.

Thurles lined out as follows:

Ger McCormack, Shane Nugent, John Shaw, Luke Kelly,Colin Nolan, Mark Cummins, Peter Kinane, Sam Quinlan, Seamus Holahan, James Maher, Cathal Hayes, Sonny Dwyer, Luke Fogarty, Jack Flanagan.

Subs: Ciaran Murphy, Jack Kavanagh(Ger McCormack), Stephen Kirwan(John Shaw), Ciaran Ryan(Colin Nolan), Donnacha Ryan(Mark Cummins), Peter Wall, Gerry Ryan, Noah Mellor(Seamus Holohan), Andrew Bourke, Danny Diamini, Kieran O’Hagan.