U13 EAST MUNSTER LEAGUE FINAL.

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The Thurles U13s played in the East Munster League final in college land in Tipperary town Saturday morning. Both teams went through the league phase unbeaten, and both showed great potential coming into this final. In typical cup final fashion, no side was prepared to give an inch as both sides tested each other's defences with big tackles coming from both sides. With 10 minutes gone, Thurles got a scrum outside the 22 the Thurles scrum was rock solid all day with Eoghan Kennedy and Murt Dillon showing great strength gave Thurles number 8 and man of the match Harry Carroll the platform to pick and go off the base Carroll broke the first tackle and the pitch opened up for him and he ran in from outside the 22 for a great individual try and the try was converted by Shea Fogarty 7-0 to Thurles. Thurles were having slightly more of the run of play with Dylan Delahunty and Shea Fogarty running the show at half back, and Sean Ryan and Tommy Stapleton attacking and defending everything in the mid field. Thurles went into the break at half time 7-0 up. 

Just 3 minutes after the restart, Thurles got a scrum on the Clonmel 22 this time the ball was put through the hands out to the right wing where Danny Corcoran received the final pass from Killian Cleary who put Corcoran away for the try and again Shea Fogarty added the points 14-0 Thurles. 

Charlie Finnegan was introduced to the front row and added fresh legs to the pack. 

Thurles looked like they were in control, but Clonmel showed why they were unbeaten in the league and showed great fight and got down the field to score a try of their own and missed the extras to leave it 14-5. 

Clonmel had their tails up and were battling hard and only for very stout defending from Eamon Quigley and Daniel O'Grady in the backrow and aggressive counter rucking from Mark Barrett and team captain Alex McCormack Thurleswere kept in the game. Clonmel got in for another try and converted to leave the score 14-12 to Thurles. This set up a grandstand finish with 10 minutes to and with Dathi Dunne at full back, guiding the team and Mason Butler once again putting in big tackles it was all Thurles at the end of the 2 3rd and with the score 14-12 it was Thurles who took the victory, in the final 3rd Thurles emptied the bench and the boys gave a great account of themselves. Overall, Thurles were the better team on the day and claimed their first U13 title for the club. The dedication and work this team put in this season so far has to be admired. They are an unbelievable group of young men. Congratulations to the players, large group of coaches,and of course to the parents who turn up to training and matches, every week. There would be no teams without you