Thurles Rugby Club notes 16th Oct 2022

Thurles 14

Richmond 15

Thurles played host to Richmond in the Munster league and finished the day with bitter disappointment, after been completely on top in the first half they ended the game at the wrong end of the score line and lucky to end with a losing bonus point.

With a large crowd present due to the 1971 Garryowen Cup winning team having a gathering in the clubhouse after the match.     

Thurles started well and were well on top and following on from last Sunday, Luke Kelly opened the scoring with a well worked try and Paddy McGrath converted, Richmond got back a penalty within minutes. Sam Quinlan burst over for a try with five minutes from the halftime and Paddy McGrath added the conversion. Things looked good and all the positive  play was coming from Thurles and was unlucky not to extend the lead on the stroke of half time when they failed touch down after getting over the line. All looked good for the second half but as the weather deteriorated, Thurles allowed Richmond back into the game due to some indiscipline  and gave away two try’s one of which was converted to allow Richmond take the lead, Thurles were far superior, but for the second time this season victory eluded them for a losing bonus point.  

Teams: Paddy McGrath, Cathal Hayes, James Devaney, Owen Byrne, Eoghan O’Dwyer, James Maher, Seamie Houlihan , John Shaw, Shane Nugent, Ger McCormack. Peter Kinnane, Luke Kelly C , Sonny Dwyer. Mark Cummins, Sam Quinlan. Subs Tom McNamara, Andrew Bourke, Jack Kavanagh, Richard Houlihan, Donnacha Ryan. Matthew Kelly, Darragh Sweeney.