The last hurrah....
This East Munster Plate final was the match eagerly anticipated by the entire squad of under 16's. With just 23 spots available on the team sheet a total of 26 willing and eager players put their hands up to make themselves available for this match. This is a testament to the dedication of these players and their desire to play rugby.
The penultimate match to this final had a very tight finish playing against Kilfeacle the previous week with just one point to spare for Thurles in the final tally to put themselves through to the final and go on to play Dungarvan.
In the neutral venue of Carrick on Suir, the match took place on Saturday 25th of April. Although the weather was stunning, this was not quite ideal when a very tough game of rugby lay ahead of these young players. The mercury in the thermometer would hit 22°.
Kick off and the match underway it was clear from the start this would be a full on battle for both sides. Tackles were going in hard from both sides and defence was giving it everything. The first score would go to Dungarvan as Thurles gave a soft penalty allowing the opposition to go three points up. Durgarvan would return the favour after twenty minutes to make it 3-3. Next, with just minutes to go in the half, came what might be a very important score as Thurles went across for the first try of the game to be followed by an accurate conversion kick (10-3). A hard but quick moving first half ended and both sides glad to be able to take on cold water in the merciless heat. Thankfully and despite the hard ground there were no injuries.
The second half kicked off with both sides knowing it was now or never and both teams wound up the pressure even higher. The young men of Thurles maintained the outstanding discipline they had displayed all season despite the pressure. After 10mins the next score would go to Thurles but a tight angle denied the conversion but opening the gap to to 15-3. With the gun to there head Dungarvan would push back with a converted try after 15mins (15-10). With a potential victory at stake Dungarvan really gave it everything and put over another try at the twentieth minute but the pressure of the kick needed thwarted the kicker who put it well wide. All square at 15 points each and in the dying minutes, both teams gave it absolutely everything, fighting the heat, fighting the fatigue and the countdown on the clock. In the end that all important first try would decide the winners and that would be Thurles.
In his speech the Captain Finn Green would pay tribute to the strong Dungarvan team and the brilliant match the played. Thanks also went to the referee, and in both sides to the coaches and especially to parents for the tremendous work and support all season.
Trys - MJ O’ Mahony & Liam Burke. Penalty and conversion - Victor Perdriau
This East Munster Plate final was the match eagerly anticipated by the entire squad of under 16's. With just 23 spots available on the team sheet a total of 26 willing and eager players put their hands up to make themselves available for this match. This is a testament to the dedication of these players and their desire to play rugby.
The penultimate match to this final had a very tight finish playing against Kilfeacle the previous week with just one point to spare for Thurles in the final tally to put themselves through to the final and go on to play Dungarvan.
In the neutral venue of Carrick on Suir, the match took place on Saturday 25th of April. Although the weather was stunning, this was not quite ideal when a very tough game of rugby lay ahead of these young players. The mercury in the thermometer would hit 22°.
Kick off and the match underway it was clear from the start this would be a full on battle for both sides. Tackles were going in hard from both sides and defence was giving it everything. The first score would go to Dungarvan as Thurles gave a soft penalty allowing the opposition to go three points up. Durgarvan would return the favour after twenty minutes to make it 3-3. Next, with just minutes to go in the half, came what might be a very important score as Thurles went across for the first try of the game to be followed by an accurate conversion kick (10-3). A hard but quick moving first half ended and both sides glad to be able to take on cold water in the merciless heat. Thankfully and despite the hard ground there were no injuries.
The second half kicked off with both sides knowing it was now or never and both teams wound up the pressure even higher. The young men of Thurles maintained the outstanding discipline they had displayed all season despite the pressure. After 10mins the next score would go to Thurles but a tight angle denied the conversion but opening the gap to to 15-3. With the gun to there head Dungarvan would push back with a converted try after 15mins (15-10). With a potential victory at stake Dungarvan really gave it everything and put over another try at the twentieth minute but the pressure of the kick needed thwarted the kicker who put it well wide. All square at 15 points each and in the dying minutes, both teams gave it absolutely everything, fighting the heat, fighting the fatigue and the countdown on the clock. In the end that all important first try would decide the winners and that would be Thurles.
In his speech the Captain Finn Green would pay tribute to the strong Dungarvan team and the brilliant match the played. Thanks also went to the referee, and in both sides to the coaches and especially to parents for the tremendous work and support all season.
Trys - MJ O’ Mahony & Liam Burke. Penalty and conversion - Victor Perdriau
