Played in the magnificent facility of Barraduff’s Community Field, Killarney’s 1st game in division 1 of the West Munster League ended in a win in dramatic circumstances when a try with the clock in red secured a last – gasp victory.  In truth Killarney rode their luck in this game, with numerous untypical handling errors.

However, they say luck favours the brave and perhaps they were due some kindness from the gods after some hard luck in the earlier rounds in autumn, after which they had battled their way into the top tier of West Munster for the latter half of the season. 

It was Tralee who scored first through their very impressive No8, whom Killarney found a handful throughout. Killarney responded through some great running play by Josh Coffey & Donnacha Coffey and superb tackling by Scot Carlton on an impressive first effort paying in the front row. 

For much of the match, Killarney dominated possession and territory probing the width of the pitch trying to find gaps in Tralee’s defence, which Finn Kennelly and Shane O’Sullivan exposed expertly with some well-executed line breaks, topped off with a well-deserved try by Finn Kennelly.

Hooker Alex O’Leary’s leadership and a sound performance from scrumhalf Donal Hickey laid the platform for Killarney’s scores, with tries from Pierse Slattery, Josh Coffey and Finn Kennelly (two of which were also clinically converted by Kennelly.) leaving the score at 19 – 20 to Tralee with the clock ticking into red.

Cue another dramatic match-clinching try by Pierce Slattery from a Donal Hickey pass, sparking joyful celebration from the entire Killarney squad. A word of praise must go towards a sporting and gracious Tralee team and management, in what was a fair and well spirited encounter refereed expertly by Feargal Courtney, and to Gemma Kelly, Mags Keogh and Heather Maclver for catering so generously for both teams afterwards.

Photo credit: Brendan Slattery