Thurles welcomed Dungarvan to Loughnagala on a wet and windy Sunday afternoon for what was Thurles's first home league game of 2016. Thurles were under no illusions that this Dungarvan team iwho are at the bottom of division 2 were out to cause an upset with an away win, but it was the home side that started the better and scored 2 quick tries in the opening 5 mins one thanks to a great block down by Joey Kelly with Ciaran Ryan quickest to react to the block and getting the touchdown. The second shortly after coming from Declan Rahilly who showed good pace and strength to beat off 2 defenders before touching down.. Dungarvan then started to build a few phases but this determined Thurles team held solid and a quick turnover by Dave Kelly on the halfway saw John Lillis find Adrian Bourke with a superb pass and there was on stopping the winger as he dotted down in the corner.
The Dungarvan out half with the aid of the wind managed to land a well struck drop goal against the run of play to register his team on the score board. Thurles then added 2 futures tries before half time by Joey Kelly and Colm Skehan both getting through a mountain of work during the game. Lillis converting both.
Half time score 31-3

Thurles again came out all guns blazing at the start of the half with 3 unanswered tries from Nicky Irwin, John Lillis and Paddy Phelan diving over for what was an exact replica of his try against Newcastle West in the junior cup.

(Colm Skehan diving over for his try)
John Lillis having a fine day with the boot slotted over from a tight angle. Credit due to this Dungarvan team they kept fighting as well as they could and got a try in the corner thanks to their winger. Before the game was out thurles introduced fresh faces in the pack in the form of young guns Shane Nugent, Rory O Dwyer, Conor Cooney, Dwayne Stanley and not so young Larry O Gorman who was the first sub to make an impact diving over shortly after arriving on the field. John Lillis who was having a fine game scored his third try thanks to a great assist by Peter Coman who beat several defenders on the way. Before the game was over Nicky Irwin and Eoghan Dwyer had their say both scoring some fine individual try's to top it all off.

Final score 86-10
On behalf of the first team we could like to thanks the supporters and committee for their continue support of the team and the hard work that is being put in week in week out.

Team: 1.Ger McCormack, 2.Dave Kelly, 3.Colm Skehan, 4.Phil Kelly, 5.Luke Kelly, 6.Ciaran Ryan, 7.Paddy Phelan, 8.Joey Kelly, 9.Nicky Irwin, 10.John Lillis, 11.Adrian Bourke, 12.Declan Rahilly, 13.Eoghan Dwyer (capt), 14.Tommy Connolly, 15.Peter Coman. Subs: Shane Nugent, Rory O Dwyer, Dwayne Stanley, Conor Cooney, Larry O Gorman.