Thurles RFC

Founded 1925

Co. Tipperary

Munster Junior League. Thomond v Thurles

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Munster J1 League –Thurles 14 Thomond 24
Thurles travelled to Moyross, Limerick to take on Thomond last Saturday in Round 7 of the Munster Junior League. Reigning league champions Thomond, unbeaten and sitting second in the league were always going to be a tough challenge on their home turf but they were ably assisted in this by a very slow start to the game by the visitors. Thurles held their own for the first ten minutes of this game but were quite easily broken down for Thomond’s first try. The of this try summed much of Thurles play in the first half. A great positional kick by Jack Flanagan pinned Thomond into their own twenty-two, a crooked lineout by Thomond gave Thurles a great attacking scrum 15 meters out, Thurles backs after a good scrum missed their man in mid field on a crash only for Thomond to pounce on the ball and launch it 80 metres down the field. Thurles scrambled and recovered the ball but failed poorly on their exit from their twenty-two gifting Thomond a good attacking lineout. Thomond ran the ball and were being comfortably defended after two phases when a floated pass to the wing found their winger where Thurles seemed to have numbers, but a poorly missed tackle allowed the Thomond winger waltz over from twenty metres for the first try after 12minutes. Two minutes later Thomond were back in the Thurles twenty-two. A speculative Garryowen by Thomond was not dealt with by the Thurles backfield resulting in poor clearance kick and silly off-side penalty. Thomond scored easily from a rolling maul off the resulting lineout. Convertedfor a 12-0 lead by Thomond after 15 minutes. Thomond were back in Thurles twenty two within a few minutes – again from a speculative Garryowen not dealt with by Thurles back field and a few phases later, despite good initial defence by the pack on continuous phases close in, Thomond spread the ball to their full back who side stepped his way in with ease Thomond’s Third try, converted to leave the score at 19-0. Thurles retained possession for long periods in the first half without making much head way against a very good and organised Thomond defence that rarely fell off tackles. On the few occasions where they did their lineout malfunctioned. Thurles struggled all half to exit there twenty-two playing into a strong head wind, even when they managed turnovers they inevitably handed possession straight back through knock ons or kicks on the full. A similar sequence of play led to Thomond’s fourth try on 34 mins where Thurles ahd three different occasions to clear and failed to do so. Halftime score was 24-0 in favour of Thomond and despite the strong breeze a mountain to climb for Thurles. 
Service was resumed by Thomond in the second half with a sustained phase of attacks in the Thurles half, usually stemming from Thurles errors or ill-discipline. But credit to the Thurles lads they defended manfully for the first 10 minutes of the second half and had to ensure some sustained Thomond attacks it what was worsening weather conditions. A positive from this being keeping the home side scoreless for the second half. Thurles did mount a bit of a mini come back in the second half and well taken scores by Mark Cummins after a great break by Ciaran Ryan and a well taken Jack Flanagan try from five metres after good approach play by the pack, both well converted by Jack Flanagan in terrible kicking conditions. The first of Thurles two tries was a demonstration of what this side is capable of in offence when they keep it simple and direct. Five straight hard carries by Sam Quinlantwice, Ciaran Murphy, Sonny Dwyer and Ciaran Ryan who offloaded to the ever present Mark Cummins for the try, allafter four quick rucks and a fifty metre gain from a quick tap penalty which never allowed a very good Thomond defence to settle. A similar pattern resulted in the second try. A quick tap by Ciaran Ryan, carries by Gerry McCormack and Sam Quinlan took Thurles to the line, before the ball was reversed blind to Thurles backs with an overlap for Jack Flanagan to beat the cover. The two late tries made the final score respectable at 24- 14 in favour of Thurles. But Thurles were never going to win this game with the quantity of unforced errors made. Poor defence out wide and in kick chase as well as allowing balls to hop in the backfield as well as a non-functioning lineout were the downfall for Thurles on the day. Some poor option taking as well in attack when the opposition just trusted their defence and waited to capitalise on Thurles errors without firing any real offensive shots themselves. Despite calling most options and substituting hookers Thurles had an abysmal day in the line out, three or four won from ten or twelve in total never allowed them a foothold in the game particularly in the first half. A long break now awaits forThurles next First team fixture on January 12th in the league. A good chance to rest, take stock and recharge some flat batteries and get a few more bodies back fit on the pitch. 
Thurles lined out as follows: 
James Butler, Shane Nugent, Gerry McCormack , Colin Nolan, Dan Lanigan Ryan, Mark Cummins, Sam Quinlan, Ciaran Ryan, Seamus Holohan, Jack Flanagan, Sonny Dwyer,James O’Meara, Luke Fogarty, Kieran O’Hagan, Matty Kelly,
Subs: Ciaran Murphy(Shane Nugent), Brandon Meaney(for James Butler), Richie Holhan (for Brandon Meany) Donnacha Ryan(For Dan Lanigan Ryan), Ricardo Prandi (for Kieran O’Hagan), Brian O’ Connell (for Colin Nolan).

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