CLONAKILTY 18

CLANWILLIAM 17

GER McCARTHY REPORTS

CLONAKILTY will finish the year two points off the summit of Munster Junior League Division 1 following a sixth victory of the campaign.

Amid atrocious weather conditions at a rain-lashed Shannonvale on Sunday afternoon, Clonakilty rounded off their pre-Christmas Division 1 fixture-list with a hard-fought win over Clanwilliam.

The West Cork side, aided by a strong wind, built a 15-0 interval lead. Clanwilliam fought to the bitter end, and utilised the elements to outscore their opponents 17-3 in the second period.

But Clonakilty’s solitary second-half score – a Niall Barrett penalty – proved critical as the hosts hung on for the narrowest of wins.

Head coach Maurice Downey was delighted with the effort and application of his players in the most trying of conditions.

‘They are a great and honest bunch of lads,’ Downey told The Southern Star.

‘If you stay in the fight, keep making the tackles, keep making the hits, you’ll eventually get your reward. I think we got our reward today.’

Clonakilty's Olan Deane wins this lineout against Clanwillian during the Munster Junior League Division 1 game at The Vale. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

On a difficult day to play attractive rugby, the winners edged the penalty count, 13 to 7. That statistic is telling and underlines the effort of Clonakilty’s pack, led by David Jennings. Second rows Michael Deegan and Peter Deane controlled the lineout while flanker Rory White got through a huge amount of work. Out halves Patrick McCarthy and Niall Barrett were equally effective

‘We always try to play an open brand of rugby but it was just not possible on a day like today,’ Downey added.

‘Sometimes you have to change your style. That’s probably what I’m most proud of today. We mixed it up, when we had to, against a very good Clanwilliam team. We were expansive when possible. When we needed to get into the trenches and grind it out, we were certainly able to do that as well.’

Using the wind at their backs, Clonakilty crossed for the game’s opening try inside the second minute. Matt Foster finished off a swift move off that began off the base of a scrum. Niall Barrett converted to make it 7-0.

Barrett converted a penalty ten minutes later but Clanwilliam, struggling to gain a foothold, earned successive penalties thanks to Jack Quinlan, Tom Rhatigan and Sean Collins’ industry.

Clonakilty’s pack steadied the ship prior to the hosts scoring their second try. Peter Deane won a lineout, and moving the ball swiftly through their backs, Clonakilty went wide where Tobias Oliver touched down in the corner.

Clonakilty's David Jennings blocks a shot from Clanwillian's Ben Downey. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

A missed Barrett conversion preceded a couple of brief flare-ups in which Clanwilliam twice held Clonakilty up and prevented the concession of two additional tries. The hosts could and should have been more than 15-0 up at the break.

The visitors lost influential captain Jack Comerford just before the half-time whistle but Clanwilliam, with the aid of an unrelenting wind, dominated the second period.

Forcing a knock-on from the restart, it took the Tipperary club seven minutes to rack up their first try with Jack Quinlan forcing his way over the line. Niall Leahy converted. It was game on.

Clanwilliam’s pack kept their team on the front foot and took advantage of a penalty which Niall Leahy sent through the posts after 55 minutes.

Making little headway in the second period, it took successive Matthew McCarthy and Rory White breaks to place Clonakilty deep in Clanwilliam territory. A sustained period of pressure, including 16 phases of play, ended with Clonakilty being awarded a penalty inside their opponents 22. Niall Barrett made the crucial kick, edging the hosts 18-10 in front, as time ticked down.

There was still time for Niall Leahy to score and convert Clanwilliam’s second try.

It proved too little, too late, and Clonakilty hung on for another impressive win.

Scorers 

Clonakilty: Matt Foster (1 try), Tobias Oliver (1 try), Niall Barrett (1 cons, 2 pens).

Clanwilliam: Jack Quinlan (1 try), Niall Leahy (1 try, 2 cons, 1 pen).

Clonakilty: Tobias Oliver; Ben Lovell, Gerard Ryan, Matt Foster, Kieran Howlin; Patrick McCarthy, Niall Barrett; Matthew McCarthy, Jack Ryan, David Jennings (captain); Michael Deegan, Peter Deane; Rory White, Ciaran McCarthy, Olan Deane.

Replacements: Tom Doyle, Dylan Buckley, William Tyner, Maurice Downey, Conor Hayes, Craig Bateman, Finian Neville.

Clanwilliam: Jack Ryan; David O’Brien, Niall Leahy, Eiremahoin McCarthy, Phillip Treacy; Jack Armshaw, Ben Downey; Jack Quinlan, Ronan O’Connor, Brendan Quinlan; Cormac Donovan, Ciaran O’Donnell; Jack Comerford, Tom Rhatogan, Sean Collins (captain).

Replacements: Matthew Kavanagh, Gavin Downey, John Richardson, Edward Nolan, Nathan Crowe, Dylan Buckley, Brian Roche.

Referee: Alex Ahern.