Match Report by Seamus Grealy, Photos courtesy of Mary McCarthy. Compiled by Liam Murphy.
One of the competitions favorites Cobh Pirates travelled to Killarney on Sat 11th and were delighted to escape with a narrow 3 point victory against a gallant home side who rose to the occasion in a high class combative game. Killarney exploded out of the blocks and played their best rugby of the season during the first quarter. High intensity defensive work and controlled aggressive ball carrying propelled the home team on the offensive. Early pressure yielded a successful penalty kick for prop Ciaran O Brien after 3 minutes.
Killarneys pace and control impressed and early line breaks by Matt McAuliffe, Craig Mc Kensie Vass and Donnchadh Grealy following incisive power plays broke the gain line. With 9 minutes gone Killarney won an attacking scrum deep in Cobh territory. John Mc Carthy intelligently picked from the base and powerfully took a direct line between flailing defenders to score near the left corner.
Now 8 points in arrears Cobh realized they were in a battle and intensified their efforts. With a powerful forward running game and a slick well drilled lineout they enjoyed territory and possession. Cobh came close to a try in the left corner after 15 Mins but a Ronan Buckley cover tackle saved the day. The visitor attacking intensity was matched however by the resolute defensive tackling of the home team with Dion O Neill, Adam Walsh and James Kennelly putting in powerful hits. Cobh turned down several penalty opportunities either going down the line or taking a running option. The home team however remained cool and composed defensively, successfully executing exit strategies, and following up with hounding chasing of kicks that kept the visitors frustrated. With 25 minutes gone a Mark Sheahan clearance kick resulted in an opportunity for another 3 pointer when a number of chasers including fullback Michael Og Casey forced the turnover, however the kick sailed narrowly wide. Cobh eventually opted for the kicking option with the last kick of the half but it also did not register and the half time score was 8-0 to Killarney.
The attritional nature of the battle unfortunately impacted severely on Killarney with No9 Adam Walsh being replaced at the break and with Dion O Neill following shortly after the restart the home team were forced into a rearranged formation with usual forwards Padraic Talbot, Krystian Komosa and Evan Mannix deputising bravely in the backline. Facing a shock defeat Cobh threw everything into attack early in the second period and following some frenzied forward carries and frantic defensive efforts they eventually crossed the line under the posts and the successful conversion brought the score to 8 - 7. Killaney did not sit back and from the restart exerted pressure on the visitors and on 50 mins Donnchadh Grealy successfully kicked a penalty to stretch the lead to 4 points. Cobh got a break with 15 Mins remaining when a promising Brendy O Donoghue counterattack was pulled back for obstruction and with a foothold in the 22 they piled on the pod carries until eventually burrowing over again under the posts for the crucial winning score. Killarney tried valiantly to grab the winning score in the time remaining however Cobhs big game experience pulled them through particularly when they turned over a Killarney attacking lineout in the 22 down the home stretch. Cobh celebrated loudly on the final whistle and although bitterly disappointed Killarney stood proud having performed so heroically.
On the day props Rob Nealon, Ciaran O Brien and Adam Cronin combated bravely in the trenches. Hooker Craig McKenzie Vass again gave a MOTM performance with bone-shuddering tackles and carries. Sam Casey gave a commanding 2nd row performance aided in the engine room by the classy Padraig Talbot. Adam McSweeney and Evan Mannix also ably added their shoulders to the effort in the 2nd half. Munster academy players John McCarthy and Brendy O Donoghue illustrated their class throughout and captain Matt McAuliffe displayed all his leadership abilities.
The ever changing resilient backline gave their best collective display of the season particularly in their tigerish defence and counterattack intensity. The players were Adam Walsh, Donnchadh Grealy, Dion O Neill, Mark Sheahan, James Kennelly, Michael Og Casey, Ronan Walsh, Krystian Komosa and Aidan Keane.
Killarney will enjoy a break next weekend with two final home Munster Cup games against Middleton and Highfield to look forward to before the end of the month.
