West Munster Cup Final - Killarney vs Killorglin/Iveragh


Killarney RFC U18.5s emerged triumphant from last Saturday's West Munster Cup final versus Killorglin - played in Tralee.  The downside from the KIllarney point of view was an injury late on to Cathal Sugrue. It meant we had back-to-back wins in this competition having defeated Rugbaí Chorcha Dhuibhne in last year's final.

With the aid of a strong breeze, Killarney were quick out of the blocks. A booming 50-22 gave us a lineout on the Killorglin 5 metre line. From the line out, the backs passed the ball along the line and Gearóid Sugrue found a gap to score by the left post after less than 2 minutes.  Initial aims achieved - first score and first try.

The second try arrived after another long kick to touch and a quick lineout that failed to go 5m, gave us an attacking scrum.  After a number of probing carries, Bryan Walsh found a gap cuting back against the Killorglin defence to score. A third try came after 15 minutes as Walsh skated in again with the overloaded Killorglin defence attracted to the threat of Gearóid Sugrue out wide. 

At this point, Killarney led 17-0 - a commanding but not decisive lead (as Leinster can confirm). From the restart, a kick out on the full gave Killorglin field position on our 22, and after a prolonged period of pressure they opened their account with a try. Conversion was missed to leave the score 17-5 after 20 mins.  The strength of the wind could be attested to as our restart ran dead, and we were back defending a scru on halfway

After desultory period, in which a couple of good chances were mised by Killarney, Killorglin got a second try close to half time, and we went into the half time break ahead at 17-10.
Killorglin got the opening score of the second half - opting to kick for goal, no doubt calculating that a draw wasn't in their favour as we had scored the first try. That brought the score to 17-13 in Killarney's favour. 

For the next 15 minutes, the game was played between the 22s.  Killorglin were unable to capitalise on handling errors from Killarney and on three occasions kicked the ball dead - underestimating the strength of the breeze.  From the third scrum, Bryan Walsh made a dash up the right wing and outpaced the cover defence to score his third try of the game.  The try was not converted but we now led 22-13, going into the last 15 minutes, and started to dominate the game again  Next score was a penalty try after a high tackle on Cathal Sugrue in the act of scoring.  With no conversion needed, we were now leading 29-13 with time ebbing away. Unfortunately for Cathal  - he suffered a broken collarbone, and played no further part in the game.

Mark Kennelly added a sixth try for Killarney and converted his own try as we stretched away with a few minutes left to lead 36-13.  Killorglin added a converted try in the last few moments to leave the final score at Killarney 36 Killorglin/Iveragh 20

Congratulations to all the players!

Congratulations to the lads who won their 2nd West Munster Cup!

Congratulations to the lads winning their first West Munster Cup