Match report by Seamus Grealy, Photos courtesy of Mary McCarthy

Killarney 13 Killorglin 3.

Saturdays highly competitive and entertaining affair played in excellent conditions in Ballymalis certainly showcased the depth and quality of underage rugby in East Kerry. Killarney got back to winning ways but like all previous games in the group it was a tight rollercoaster of a game. Killarney started brightly and enjoyed territory and possession with the forward pack in particular gaining hard yards and recycling with control. Pressure was rewarded with a well slotted penalty by Ciaran O Brien after 10 Mins  that gave  the visitors a 3 point lead. Killorglin then enjoyed a period of dominance and came very close to touching down in the left corner before eventually also settling for 3 points drilled over by fullback Shane Og O Sullivan.  A feature of the game was the intensity of the attacking pods  powering into contact and the resultant groundwork. Both teams displayed impressive counterrucking and poaching skills and any weaknesses in ball presentation were punished.

After 20 Mins Killarney used their depth to rotate 5 players and with fresh legs  forged attacking positions but generally the home teams midfield defence was ruthless extinguishing the threat. A breakthrough arrived after 25 Mins when a successful lineout catch by John McCarthy set a maul pummeling into the 22 ,the ball was forcefully moved  through a number of phases before backrow speedster Matt Mcauliffe sliced through a gap to score under the posts. Ciaran O Brien added the conversion. Killarney pressed further before half time and following some super interplay forced a penalty that was secured to leave the half time score at 13 to 3 for the visitors. 

The second half was a tense and exciting affair that ebbed and flowed mainly between the  10 yard lines. Both teams threw everything they had into attack but it was a day when the tackling was intense, line breaks were rare and defences were dominant. Considering that a lot of the on field players were teammates last season both teams displayed an awareness of  the others powerpoints and  the mutual respect on show was commendable. Killorglin piled every ounce of energy into one final siege on the try line for the last few minutes. The Killarney boys held firm and kept the door shut. 

The front row combo of Ciaran O Brien, Craig Mc Kensie Vass and Rob Nealon again excelled as a unit driving the scrum forward and performing at the coalface.The rotating second row of Krystian Komosa, Padraig Talbot, Evan Mannix, Sam Casey and Adam Mc Sweeney covered every inch bravely tackling and rucking. John McCarthy soared in the lineout and was ably assisted in the backrow by powerhouses Brendy O Donoghue and captain Matt McAuliffe.

Killarneys backline competed superbly against a very coherent and versatile Killorglin unit. Cian Murphys kicking was excellent and several yard eating penalties from hand stood out. Dion  O Neill tackling was inspirational. Wingers Tomas Clifford, Ronan Buckley, Michael Casey , James Kennelly, and Aidan Keane probed with ball in hand and defended the wide channels. Centres Mark Sheahan, Donnchadh Grealy and Adam Walsh constantly took ball bravely into a fiercely combative strike zone. Fullback Gary Randles displayed his array of football skills and stoutly defended the line. Able reserves on the day were Adam Cronin and Jack O Connell. 

Next up is the last tie of the Sth West league at home on Sat 23rd against Newcastlewest /Estuary with a 12.30 stert.