Thurles RFC vs. Crosshaven RFC – Munster Junior League.
Thurles RFC 10 – 8 Crosshaven RFC
On Sunday last, the Thurles First XV welcomed Crosshaven to Loughtagalla for their last league game of 2016, Thurles were aiming to keep on track in their chase for promotion and also maintain their 100% record of home league wins in 2016. This was not going to be an easy task for Thurles as they faced a Crosshaven side doing very well in the league and also, Thurles were missing a number of regulars due to illness, work commitments & holidays.
The first half of the game was a scrappy affair, a number of late tackles from the Cork men threatened proceedings to boil over at times but Thurles kept their cool as they spent most of the first half inside the Crosshaven half of the field. Thurles had a number of chances to cross the whitewash but a few handling errors, and last ditch tackles from the away side saw Thurles come away with a penalty with 20 minutes gone, through the boot of John Lillis, 3-0.
Thurles continued to put the pressure on and another Lillis penalty hit the upright this time and the clearance kick landed in the hands of Number 8 Ciaran Ryan who went on an excellent counter run, making light work of the Crosshaven defence, he set the last man to put winger Adrian Bourke over near the corner to reap the rewards of Ryan’s powerful running down the right of the field, Lillis did the honours with the conversion for the maximum, 10-0.
As the first half neared an end, Crosshaven struck a long range penalty which clipped off the crossbar to sneak over to register the Cork men’s first score of the day to send the teams in at half time with a score line of 10-3.
As the second half kicked off, Crosshaven came out like a different team and within 10 minutes took full advantage of their purple patch with the reward of try following some excellent play by the men from the Rebel County. The reasonably straightforward conversion was missed with the tricky wind continuing to play havoc with the place kickers, 10-8.
Crosshaven continued to enjoy a period of possession but the Thurles defence was outstanding as Shane Moloney, Ciaran Ryan, Aidan Dwyer and Mark Cummins all forcing turnovers on separate occasions. The Cork men threw the kitchen sink at Thurles but a monster tackle from Moloney again forced a fumble which Joey Kelly latched onto and powered down the field to bring play inside the opposition half.
Thurles finished the final quarter of the game stronger, creating a number of chances which would have finished off the game in style, an excellent chase from a cross field kick saw Tommy Stevens touch down but for the referee not to allow it due to him being too far away to see if it was grounded before the dead ball line.
An excellent move from the Thurles backs was unfortunate not to be finished with another last ditch tackle from Crosshaven preventing the final pass being made to send the support runners over in the corner. Despite the away sides best efforts, Thurles held out for an excellently hard fought win which keeps the League challenge alive and ensured that Thurles ended the year with 100% win record in the League at home for 2016.
This game was the first of a full schedule of games leading up to the Christmas break in 3 separate Competitions, with the League on hold until 15thJanuary, Thurles’ next fixture see’s us at home to Waterpark in the Semi Final of the Munster Junior Plate with a 2pm kick-off in what promises to be a bruising encounter and the following weekend (18th December), we travel to Waterford City for our first round of games in the Munster Junior Cup which is our last fixture of 2016. All support would be greatly appreciated by the players & management for these important fixtures.
Training continues on Wednesday & Friday Nights at 7.30pm sharp for both First and Seconds players.
Thurles Scorers: Adrian Bourke (1 Try) & John Lillis (1 Conversion & 1 Penalty).
Thurles Starting XV vs Crosshaven: 1. Ger McCormack 2. Shane Nugent 3. Michael Ely 4. Shane McHugh 5. Luke Kelly 6. Mark Cummins 7. Paddy Phelan (c) 8. Ciaran Ryan 9. James Ryan 10. Aidan Dwyer 11. Tommy Stevens 12. Shane Moloney 13. Peter Coman 14. Adrian Bourke 15. John Lillis Subs Used: Phil Kelly, Dave Kelly & Joey Kelly.
U18 Boys v Old Crescent
Thurles 34 - Old Crescent 10 Thurles had a fast start scoring four tries in the first half where they dominated the Old Crescent forward pack to lead 24 - 3 at the break. The second half was a more even affair with Old Crescent scoring a quick try to make it 24 - 10. Thurles then came back into the game & scored two more tries. Notable performances came from Conor O Hagan Seamus Holohan & Paddy McGrath. The try scorers were Eoin Kerrane Colin Nolan Seamus Holahan(2) and Conor O Hagan (2). Man of the match went to Conor O Hagan for his performance. Onwards and upwards from here now boys.
Thurles U14 Boys v Nenagh Ormond RFC
Nenagh U14s travelled to play Thurles on Friday night last . A competitive battle between the two sides with Nenagh coming out on top at the end ,All our younger players played very well and it was great to see the U14 S getting some game time under lights on the main pitch. There is a huge effort being put in by the U14 boys and their coaches and the results are coming. Well done to all involved and keep up the good work.
