U18.5 Munster Cup - Group 4 - Clonakilty 45 Killarney 14
After the highs of the wins over Charlevile and Desmond in the qualifying stages - we were brought to ground by a well-organised and well-drilled Clonakilty team that took full value from our errors.
Reaching the last 16 in Munster is some achievement for team with a large number of U17s starting but this game showed us the level required to compete. To this somewhat - if not completely - biased eye the scoreline is a little one sided for what was a great game, played in the aftermath of Storm Darragh.
Early stages of the game were close fought - we defended well against a well structured Clonakilty attack. For 20 minutes we weathered the storm - but a poor clearance kick that failed to find touch allowed Clonakilty to score. They added to their tally score after with a quick tap penalty to lead 14-0 after 26 mins. Then we found a way back into the game.
Clonakilty had a man sent to the bin for an off the ball tackle on Bryan Walsh. With the benefit of video replays - a penalty try was probably warranted. We kicked to the corner - Mark Brosnan gathered the line out and a long pass from Paddy Moore found Gearóid Sugrue, he initially failed to gather the ball and a slightly distracted and now undermanned Clonakilty defence left a huge gap for Gearóid to race under the posts. With a successful conversion we were back to 14-7.
A second try soon followed. We regathered the kick off and after a number of phases, a good drive was rewarded by an excellent clear out and fast possession to scrum half Paddy Moore. Paddy's pass found Sugrue with Mark Kennelly in support. Gearóid drew 2 defenders and put Mark into space and although tackled just short of half way he found Bryan Walsh outside him. Bryan carried towards the Clonakilty 22 and stepping inside the cover defence found Gearóid Sugrue inside him who hit the gap and raced to score under the posts. The straightforward conversion attempt was good and we were now back to 14-all.
Second half was much tougher. Clon brough ton their big guns in the front row and we failed to handle them. Conceding two early scores saw us 26-14 behind, but not out of sight if we could find a way to a 5 or 7 pointer. Unfortunately, hope vanished when Clonakilty scored another to go 31-14 ahead. Clon pushed further ahead as errors crept in. Final score 45-14 was a bit one-sided but this is the standard we need to reach.
