Thurles welcomed Skibbereen to Thurles this Sunday for the fourth round of the Munster Junior 1 league. The home side were hoping to avoid a fourth successive league defeat and get their season off to a start.

Thurles kicked off into the clubhouse end, but despite their almost three hour drive up to Thurles for the game, the away side started more brightly.

Try Skibbereen 7 minutes gone, a booming penalty find by Skibbereen full back Dave Shanahan gave the away team good field position 10 metres out from the Thurles line, Thurles competed on the throw but were never set for counteracting a strong Skib maul which had the Thurles pack back peddling before their number six peeled off to crash over for the first score. The Skib out half landing a great conversion from wide on the left.

Thurles were back in the game 7 minutes later, some great approach play by the forwards got Thurles to within five metres, attacking down the blind side James Maher slipped a wide miss pass to Matty Kelly on the left wing who beat the cover to slip in wide on the left for Thurles only try of the game. Thurles 5 Skibbereen 7 with 15 minutes gone. Thurles had the better of the remainder of the half. Some extremely aggressive defence sets and hard ball carrying by Ciaran Ryan, Sonny Dwyer and Stephen Kirwan in the pack was making some in roads. A high tackle by Skibbereen in a minute before the end of the half saw Thurles land the last score of the first half via a penalty kick at goal by James Maher. Thurles 8 Skibbereen 7, at half time.

It took Thurles just five minutes into the second half to add their tally, a good attack was ended by a high tackle on James O’Mara resulting in a penalty straight in front for twenty metres out, converted easily by James Maher. Thurles 11 Skibbereen 7 and it was looking good for the home team. Skibbereen had different ideas, and straight from the kick off they regathered possession and a few phases later they had created an overlap down the Thurles right flank. The home team failing to fold and resource the blind side, something they struggled with all day. Thurles 11 Skibbereen 12 with 69 minutes on the clock. The remaining sixteen minutes of this game were characterised by Thurles struggling to get field position in the Skibbereen half. Skibbereen pushed further ahead after the Thurles pack, on top all day in the scrum due to heroic efforts in the front row were harshly adjudged to have bored in, despite the away scrum being reversed down the field. This pushed the score out to Thurles 11, Skibbereen 15 and it was looking ominous for Thurles with 16 minutes remaining. Thurles tried hard but could not gain a foothold in the opposition half and were not getting the benefit of refereeing decisions also. Skib finished off any Thurles hopes with a well taken score as the Thurles pack were starting to tire and fell off a few tackles at a ruck enabling the Skibbereen wing forward to get all the way into Thurles twenty-two where they finished well in the right corner at the club house end. Final score Thurles 11 Skibbereen 20.

Thurles lined out as follows:

John Shaw, Shane Nugent, Gerry McCormack, Steven Kirwan, Sonny Dwyer, Sam Quinlan, Ciaran Ryan, Seamus Holohan, James Maher, Ricardo Prandi, James O’Mara, Luke Fogarty, Dylan Shaughnessy, Matty Kelly.

Subs: Ciaran Murphy (For Shane Nugent), Brandon Meaney, Daniel Lanigan Ryan, Mark Cummins for (Stephen Kirwan), Bryan O Connell (for Sam Quinlan) Donnacha Ryan for James Maher, Dylan Shaughnessy (for Ricardo Prandi), Sean Lloyd, Joe Dwan.

Thurles RFC’s Sam Quinlan stretching to steal a Skibbereen during Sunday’s League game at loughtagalla

TRFC Women travelled to Carlow for a much-needed friendly game in prep for their upcoming league matches.

Thurles started very well scoring early and continued to apply pressure on the home team to secure more points as the game progressed to lead 21 / 5 after the period of play.

Carlow did have their own purple patch in the next period where they also scored tries through a variety of players and play which brought things closer on the scoreboard.

For the third period Thurles again dominated phases of play with quick ball and slick play scored some more tries to run out eventually winners over their hosts in Carlow rugby 🏉

Overall, it was a much-needed test for our team and gives us a good idea of where we need to concentrate our efforts for the coming weeks and games.

We also want to thank Carlow Ladies for the fixture and hope to organise in the near future a return fixture if free weekends align.

TRFC Women’s Management.

Thurles Seconds fall to Fethard

Fethard RFC came to Thurles with a strong team for Friday night’s Gleeson League clash. Thurles fielded a team that mixed experienced with the enthusiasm of youth. Manager Shay Scanlon had the number on site for this game and in an interesting fact, the back line contained six debutantes at junior two level with Kieran O’Hagan having tasted this level previously

With a game under their belts, Fethard hit the ground, running and flashed in two tries in the early stages. The home team worked their way back into the game and a try from James Devaney put thurles on the scoreboard. Joe Dwan converted and kicked an impressive penalty to get the Thurles scoreboard up and running. In an evenly matched the first half Fethard were the more clinical and perhaps the Thurles defence was too passive and static giving Fethard too much momentum in the first half, a half that finished with Fethard having 10 points more than Thurles.

Thurles emerged from the break in the second half and put pressure on the Fethard line. Kieran Murphy’s try cut the gap to 5 points but again sloppy defending allowed Fethard to score a soft try. Thurles continued to kick for the corners and push the visitors all the way with tries from Conor Ryan and Luke Molumby which kept Thurles within distance of Fethard

The victory was not to be, but team manager Scanlon emphasised the positive aspects after the performance. It was their first match. It is onwards from this first match to next Saturday night when Kilfeacle Seconds come to town. You can be sure that Scanlon and Leamy will have digested the lessons from this match. Once again, well done to well done to all. As a sideline regular says, I don’t know how it is, but it’s a great to see the youth coming through.

The Team Kieran O’Hagan. Luke Molumby. James Devaney. Sean Lloyd. Con Phelan, Joe Dwan, Stephen Shaw, Daniel Lanigan Ryan. Eoin Kerrane. Dwayne Stanley, Donncha Ryan. Calum Hall. Richie Houlihan, Kieran Murphy, Brandon Meaney Substitutes Conor Ryan Killian O’Shea Gordan Murray

Thurles Second XV in action Friday night v Fethard Seconds

Thurles's own "Antoine Dupont", Oscar Ryan, scored two 2 excellent tries in the first half to give us a lead of 12-5 at the break. Dara Burke added the extra 2 points with a conversion.

But it was the solid defensive line of Thurles that kept the mammoth ball carriers of Dungarvan from making headway in the first half. With big hits from the backrow of Paudie Kavanagh, Abdel Hinnawi and Ciaran O Mahony and excellent tackling and jackaling from Finn Green at 2nd centre.

From the kick off in the second half Thurles were camped on their own line, after ten minutes of solid defending from Thurles, Dungarvan finally got a try to level the game. Dungarvan's confidence grew after this and they ran in 3 more unanswered tries within 20 minutes, to put the score at 29-12.

With less than 5 minutes remaining, but plenty of spirit left, Daniel Groome ran in for a try under the posts, no waiting for a tee, he converted by dropkick. From the kick-off Thurles regained position with a penalty, Daniel Groome found touch inside the Dungarvan 22. Dungarvan stole the lineout, Abdel Hinnawi, stole the ball back, Jack Groome, Captain, picked and ran, off-loading to Daniel Delaney whose quick hands shipped the ball to Daniel Groome, who ran in for his second try. His second dropkick conversion attempt going just wide. Leaving the score at 29-24.

Also, outstanding today were Jacob Murphy, Pat Maher, and Niall Kelly.

Thanks to everyone that travelled and thanks to Dungarvan for hosting.

Fixtures

This weekend sees all our Underage and Senior teams in action across the province. Check our social media for up to date kick off times and venues