Thurles made the long journey to West Cork last Sunday to play Clonakilty in the penultimate round of Munster Junior 1 league season. It was day across the league when the league winners were confirmed when Thomond overcame closestrivals Kilfeacle to claim a second consecutive title since dropping back to this league from the AIL two years ago. Also confirmed on the day was the first relegation victim with Crosshaven losing their league status with a visit to Thurles to come in their last game next week. At the start of this round, Thurles sat in 10th position in the league with Clonakilty just one point behind in 11th, with Mallow, Newcastle West and Crosshaven in 12th, 13th and 14th position with just five points separating these five league positions. The result of this game was therefore going to have a significant effect going into next weekend’s final games for Thurles and Clonakilty and with a couple of other teams with two remaining fixtures

In good conditions for rugby Thurles received the kick off playing with the aid of the breeze and slight hill playing away from the home clubhouse end in the first half. The opening exchanges were ferocious with both sides seeking to gain a physical edge in both defence and with ball in hand. It was,however, the visiting team who fired the first shot in this contest. Having gained good field position from a lineout in the Clon twenty-two, Thurles went through multiple phases going close on a couple of occasions before gaining another penalty five metres out. A penalty tap and surge by Peter Kinane followed by a quick transfer for Ciaran Ryan to crashover beside the posts for a Thurles try, converted by James Maher after 11 minutes. Clon’s response was almost immediate, a series of penalty concessions gave them a lineout ten metres out and a well-executed lineout maul and peel by their hooker saw him evade the Thurles cover for a try which was well converted to make the score 7 – 7 after 18 minutes. Thurles were back in front four minutes later when a good sweeping backline move set Sean McGrath away into the Clon half before Sonny Dwyer made further ground. The home team were penalised at a ruck and James Maher slotted the three pointer from just inside the twenty two to make 10 – 7 to Thurles. A long touch find and lineout from a penalty gave Thurles access to the Clon twenty two on 28 minutes, and although Thurles conceded a scrum for a crooked throw, Clon were unable to clear sufficiently. Matty Kelly fielded the home sides clearance from the scrum and side stepped his way through the Clon defence before setting up a ruck just outside the twenty-two. A quick transfer by Seamie Holohan to CiaranRyan saw him make a line break and off load beautifully for Sam Quinlan to sprint in under the posts from twenty metres for Thurles second try. The conversion by James Maher pushed the score out to 17 to 7 in favour of Thurles. Clonakilty responded yet again just before half time with another well-constructed try scored from a lineout maul, conversion missed this left the score 17 -12 in favour of Thurles. With the clock in the red Thurles won a penalty just outside the Clon ten metre which was brilliantly converted  by James Maher to put the half time score at 20 – 12 in favour of Thurles. 

The home team were first out of the blocks in the second halfwhen after only 4 minutes they capitalised on some poor Thurles defence from a central scrum and attacking deep into the twenty-two, a few phases later they were in for a their third try to close to the posts which they converted to make the score 20 – 19. Juts 6 minutes later Thurles had responded with a score of their own, some back chat to the referee at a decision resulted in a Thurles penalty on the twenty two being marched forward to with five of the Clon line. Thurles again chose to run the penalty with three successive carries by the pack before flashing the ball hard and flat to James O’Mara at centre who burst through a gap to score under posts. The clinching score for Thurles came on 66 minutes when Luke Fogarty made a great defensive read and intercepted Clon on half way, and outsprinted the cover to score under the posts again. This pushed the score out 34 – 19, crucially requiring the home team to score three times to snatch a win, which was just about beyond them given the time remaining on the clock. Both teams saw yellows on 67 and 69 minutes respectively and finished most of the game with just fourteen. Tempers flared with the realisation that this game was beyond the home team, but a strong finish saw score twice more, the second last was some tired defending from a blind side scrum, and the last try was a penalty try awarded under the Thurles posts when time was up. A huge win for Thurles in a very difficult away fixture. It was a great 23 man performance and much inspired by the commitment of the second team in winning in 100minute extra time cup match against Kilfeacle and many of whom double jobbed in subbing for the firsts in Clonakilty. Special mention to James Butler and Jack Kavanagh who had big contributions in deputising for the injured duo of Ger McCormack and John Shaw in the front row.

Thurles lined out as follows: 

Shane Nugent, Jack Kavanagh, Dan Lanigan Ryan, Peter Kinane, Sam Quinlan, Mark Cummins, Ciaran Ryan, Seamus Holohan, James Maher, Luke Fogarty, Sonny Dwyer, James O’Meara, Sean McGrath, Matty Kelly.

Subs: Ciaran Murphy (for Shane Nugent), Richie Holohan,Donnacha Ryan (for Dan Lanigan Ryan) Brandon Meaney(for James Butler), Jack Flanagan (for James Maher), Kieran O’Hagan (for James O Mara).