Match report Ian Harrington

Killarney U14 Rugby Team finished their last game in the top tier of the West Munster League with a hard fought win over their nearest rivals Killorglin RFC last Saturday.

Rugby, as we all know, is a winter sport; however the weather conditions during this local derby proved extremely challenging for both teams. The result was a pulsating match played out in front of many hardy fans. With a strong southerly wind it was evident that the game would indeed be the proverbial game of two halves. Killorglin used the wind advantage from the start of the match and scored their first try after mounting pressure from their forwards. Killarney learned the hard way that kicking out of their 22 was not an option with a returning wind- assisted ball forcing centre Shane O’Sullivan to ground the ball for a 22 dropout.

Killorglin continued to punish Killarney’s imperfect ball- handling in the slippery conditions; however Killarney never gave up the defensive team effort. Killorglin’s No 8 was a real menace on Killarney’s defensive structure and late in the half broke and fended a number of Killarney players to score what seemed like a certain try; however the conditions took their toll and the ball was knocked on just over the try line. With this reprieve for Killarney, Killorglin continued their relentless pressure and on the stroke of half time they scored their second try of the half. With neither of Killorglin’s tries converted due to the strong wind, the score stood at 10 – nil to Killorglin.

With the wind advantage, Killarney commenced the second half hoping to return the pressure. However, Killorglin were well able to withstand the wind in their faces. Killarney had many opportunities to run at Killorglin but, between the demands of the wet and cold and ball-handling, the half was not going according to Killarney’s plans.

Entering the second part of the half Killarney began to kick for territory and this began to bear fruit for the home team. Killarney - after capitalising on substitutions, began to pile considerable pressure on the Killorglin defence. In short succession Killarney scored two tries paving the way for a dramatic finish to the match. It could be said that at this stage and with time running out for both teams a draw would be a fair result; however, after a Killarney kick from the half way line the final try of the game sealed a win for Killarney.

In the end both teams demonstrated considerable determination and effort in the adverse conditions. Killarney’s first half defence probably made the difference along with the determination displayed by all the team. Full credit should go to both teams for a fantastic sporting spectacle where all players displayed great character. It is difficult to attribute credit to any players in particular after such a united and committed effort by the whole panel in such challenging and energy-sapping conditions……but captain Alex O’Leary led by example from start to finish and was assisted by an equally committed performance by Daire O’Brien, encouraging the entire team to follow suit.

A big thank you to Gemma Kelly for hosting both teams and fans post-match in Barraduff Community Field. Also thanks to Peter Kelly for all his efforts in facilitating the games in Barraduff and to the Barraduff CF committee all season.