Thurles RFC vs. St. Marys RFC – Munster Junior League.
Thurles RFC 10 – 12 St. Marys RFC
Thurles welcomed St. Marys of Limerick to Loughtagalla on Sunday last in a Promotion shootout, which would go a long way to deciding who would join Waterpark in Division 1 next year. The opening quarter of the game saw a lot of play around the midfield but it was Thurles who came out of this period shining brightest with 2 quick fire tries.
The first was a great back line move which saw Captain Eoghan O’Dwyer finish excellently in the right hand corner of the clubhouse end. The second came from excellent pressure from Thurles on a St. Marys scrum, Nicky Irwin got in an excellent block on the opposition out half as he attempted to clear his lines and it was Shane Moloney who reacted quickest to win the race to the ball to score Thurles’ second of the game, both tries went unconverted.
As the half neared an end, Thurles began to concede a number of penalties which provided momentum to the away side, who went onto score a well worked try off the back of a line out to reduce the deficit before the break with an uncoverted try; 10-5 at half time.
The opening period of the second half began much like the first, both sides had a number of chances from the kicking tee to add to the scoreline, but both sides proved very wasteful with the boot, with neither kicking having any success. St. Marys added a second try as their prop barged through the cover to touch down, the convert just sneaked inside the posts to edge the Limerick men in front with 10 minutes remaining on the clock.
Thurles had a number of chances from open play and from the tee to win the game in the closing minutes but were unable to take advantage of the chances presented to them, some of them no doubt may come back to haunt them as the curtain comes to a close in a few weeks’ time, St. Mary’s held on for the win and retained their place in 2nd position in the league.
This was Thurles’ first fixture since the end of January but begins a busy run of fixtures with next up for the men, the Final of the Munster Junior Challenge Shield against Kinsale, this decider takes place in Fermoy RFC Grounds, this Sunday at 2pm, all travelling support would be greatly appreciated by the players and management as the team look to claim their first bit of silverware of the season.
Training continues Wednesday & Friday nights at 7.30pm sharp for both Firsts & Seconds.
Thurles Scorers: Eoghan O’Dwyer & Shane Moloney (1 Try Each) Thurles Starting XV vs St. Marys: 1. Ger McCormack 2. Shane Nugent 3. Dave Kelly 4. Phil Kelly 5. Shane McHugh 6. Mark Cummins 7. Paddy Phelan 8. Ciaran Ryan 9. Nicky Irwin 10. Aidan Dwyer 11. Adrian Bourke 12. Shane Moloney 13. Eoghan O’Dwyer (c) 14. Tommy Stevens 15. Peter Coman Subs Used: Charles Langley, Luke Kelly, Joey Kelly.
