Killarney RFC U14’s complete fantastic League and Cup double

Historic Victory in Abbeyfeale seals historic season:

 

Killarney RFC U14’s with coaches Eoin Seery, John O’Connell and Seamus Greally ahead of their Cup Final win V Castleisland RFC Pic: Liam Murphy

 

A huge well done to our U14’s who completed an historic double for the club last night. Having had a fantastic run in the West Munster U14 League, the lads travelled to Abbeyfeale RFC’s home pitch at the Grove to play in the West Munster Cup Final against local rivals Castleisland. This match capped off a fantastic season for the lads who had an amazing run throughout the league, only losing one match throughout the campaign to become League Champions in April.

 

An amazing and historic season for the U14′:

 

West Munster League Table in March

 

The first match of the season got underway at Aghadoe against Castleisland on the 10th of October. Tries by Liam Randles, Tomas Clifford, Padraic Talbot and Brendy O’Donoghue gave the home side a well deserved 36 points to 10 win, with 3 conversions from Donnacha Grealy sealing the win for our boys. An excellent start to the season with everyone really stepping up to the plate to win the match.

Next up it was a trip to O’Dowd Park in Tralee and another big win for the boys with a 37 – 0 nil scoreline and tries from Padraic Talbot, Liam Randles, Tomas Clifford, Peter Walsh and Bailey O Sullivan and a conversion by Donnacha Grealy.

Our U14’s continued their winning ways with a fantastic team performance seeing off a strong Abbeyfeale side, the following Sunday at Aghadoe. The home side ran out winners on a scoreline of 47 points to 12 at Aghadoe, to win their third match in a row. This was the day after the U14’s travelled to Thomond Park to watch Munster Rugby take on Glasgow Warrioirs in the European Cup. The lads thoroughly enjoyed their trip to Thomond Park and felt privileged to be able to be there for what was a huge tribute to Anthony Foley, who passed away the week before.

Pre match huddle

On the 12th of November Killarney hosted Killorglin at Aghadoe. While the rain stayed off for the match the ground was wet underfoot but the pitches held up well. Not having played a proper game for two weeks meant that the team did not start with the now accustomed flair but they quickly found their feet. With a wet ball the emphasis was always going to be on doing the basics well. Team captain Padraic Talbot led from the outset and got over the line early for a try with more from Darragh Cronin, Donnacha Grealy  and a number for the fearless Thomas Clifford. Changes were made in majority of positions with a number of first “caps” for some of our younger warriors who got their first taste of playing on a full pitch and really stepped up. Killorglin never gave up and were rewarded with a brace of tries. Killarney won 39 – 12 in the end with the coaches expressing many thanks to all the supporters that continued to give this team the support from the sidelines.

Killarney and Listowel do battle in the scrum

 

Killarney U14’s completed their 2016 campaign with a resounding away win at Listowel on Saturday 3rd. After several weeks of indoor training at the SBGK gym under the guidance of PJ Lucey, the team was eager to get into match mode. A commanding opening half performance saw powerful forwards Thomas Clifford and Brendan O Donoghue (twice) crash through for tries. Liam Walsh playing 1st centre who travels from Kenmare scored his first two tries for the club cutting incisively through the home defence. Out-half Donnchadh Grealy converted three of the first half tries. 
Captain and number 8 dynamo Padraig Talbot scored immediately after the restart and the controlled aggression of Bailey O’Sullivan was rewarded shortly after with a brilliant try directly from a restart. Listowel gallantly rallied and put intense pressure on the Killarney line for a sustained period. However the defence refused to buckle, regrouped and talented centre Liam Randles scored 2 fantastic tries, one from a penalty set play and the 2nd following an individual kick and chase. Donnchadh Grealy converted 2 of the second half tries.

As well as the barn storming try scorers the forwards were complimented ably by Adam Cronin, Sean O’Sullivan, Darren Cronin, Ruairi Coughlan, Shane McAllister and Sam Behall. The ever-changing backline sparkled with Peter Walsh, Sean Hickey, Josh Campbell, James Kennelly, Rian Colleran, Harry Kelly, Mikey Moriarty and Colin O’Sullivan all contributing to a fluid expansive display. Killarney stood on top of the South Munster Table for the Christmas period with 6 wins from 6 games.

Training at the SGBK gym with P.J. Lucey and Seamus Grealy

This was followed up with another break over the Christmas period and on Jan 7th, Killarney welcomed neighbours Castleisland to Aghadoe on Saturday last for the first game of 2017, in phase 2 of the West Munster u14 league. Not having played a proper game for a few weeks meant that the team did not start with the now accustomed flair but they quickly found their feet. With a wet ball the emphasis was always going to be on doing the basics well and no player disappointed. Changes were made in majority of positions with a number of first “caps” for some of our younger warriors who got their first taste of playing on a full pitch and really stepped up. Castleisland never gave up and helped serve up a nail biting match where Killarney came out one try ahead (15 points to 10).

 

The lads train under lights on a cold February night,creating history in the process

 

The lads had some great times at training and enjoyed training under lights at Aghadoe, being amongst the first to do so in Early January. On the 14th of January, Killarney beat Tralee 38 – 5 at Aghadoe and beat Abbeyfeale away on the 29th at the Grove. A narrow loss away to Castleisland on the 4th of February gave the lads the only loss of the season in the league (5 points to 8).

The U14 team travelled to Tralee on the 11th of February for the second last match knowing that a win would put them in the final of the west Munster League. Following the previous weeks disappointment in Castleisland a determined bunch too to the field and put their stamp on the game. Despite a sluggish start speedster Tomas Clifford scored an excellent try from the wing.  This was followed up by a try after 20 minutes by Liam Randles.

The second half showed much improvement as the words at half time sunk in and guys stood up.  Forwards and Backs responded with some breath-taking interlinks which was topped off by a try by Rian Colleran in the corner.  A last try was scored by Tomas Clifford.  Stand in kicker Peter Walsh converted one of the tries.  The last 18 minutes saw subs being brought on to bolster the team.  To a man every player played and defended as best they could but a dogged Tralee were never going to give up and ran in a brace of tries and one conversion.  One of the outstanding features of the game was the follow through in ground plays where the training ground practice was bearing fruit.

West Munster league champions!!

 

U14’s – West Munster League Champions:​

Saturday march 11th will forever be in the minds of the lads from Killarney U14 squad. On arrival​ at Tralee RFC there was a sense of purpose. The excitement of the weeks previous was now a reality. Plans had been made and practiced. Final words of encouragement were shared. The guys were ready and were determined to work for each other until the final whistle. Castleisland we knew would never give up easily. A hard battle for possession ensued from the start. The opening try was scored by centre Liam Randles with some great support work from the forwards at the 5 minute mark. A line break by Brendan O Donoghue with excellent line running on the outside by Rian Colleran nearly saw the second try but Rian was stopped yards from the line. Castleisland countered and a classic tackle by Mikey Moriarty on the Castleisland no 8 was a prime example of how to legally tackle and stop a bigger player. On 20 minutes a brilliant break by Tomas Clifford made the score 10 to 0. This proved to be the last score of the game. At half time Killarney knew that Castleisland would up the pressure and this was definitely the case. On numerous times Castleisland were held on the line by courageous defending from the Killarney boys. The crowd were very vocal in their support for their teams and the result was Killarney were West Munster U14 League Champions for 2017.

Killarney Captain Padraig Talbot with the West Munster League Trophy

The squad that lined out on the day were Adam Cronin, Brendan O Donoghue, Odeniz Koyun, Darren Cronin, John McCarthy, Ruairi Coughlan, Padraig Talbot, Bailey O Sullivan, Peter Walsh, Donnacha Grealy, Liam Randles, Thomas Clifford, Mikey Moriarty and Rian Colleran. James Kennelly, Samuel Behal, Sean Hickey, Shane McAllister, Josh Campbell, Harry Kelly and Cormac Rowe and while they did not step on to the pitch of pl​ay on the day remain a vital part of the team especially in raising the standard and fight for places in various positions.As coaches we are very proud of every member of the squad that turn up week after week. Thanks to all players and parents for your dedication and support. The win was well earned and deserved after the focus put in this year. With the league now over it was now time to turn our attention to the Cup competition. 

At the end of a hectic run, Killarney had amassed an unprecedented 12 wins and a total of 48 points in the league between the 8th of October and early March, winning all games bar the one loss to Castleisland. The coaches worked tirelessly with the lads and even though the weather wasn’t always that great, the lads never complained.

League Champions!!

 

Proud coaches John O’Connell, Seamus Greally and Eoin Seery with the West Munster League Trophy last March

The West Munster Cup:

Semi final V Tralee

Two weeks after winning the west muster league the Killarney u14 stepped back onto the field in the West Munster cup semi final v tralee u14. The first half saw Killarney assert their dominance with tries from Tomas Clifford and Odeniz Koyun. Both tries were converted – the first by Donnacha Grealy and the second by Peter Walsh. The second half was a tough affair with tralee continuing to test the Killarney defence. Tralee scored a try midway in the second half and Killarney from then on ensured that the door was firmly shut. The semi final win ensures that this team get the reward of contesting a cup final. 

The lads in action V Tralee in the Cup Semi final

 

Champions Again!!

 

After a month’s break, the U14 team took the road to Abbeyfeale for the last time this year to take on Castleisland in the West Munster U14 Cup Final.  This was expected to be a tough game against a team that we have come up against on several occasions this year including the west Munster League Final and we knew that Castleisland would not lie down. 

The weather suited the attacking style of the Killarney boys.  The message from the coaches to the players was simple, enjoy it, don’t worry about any mistakes, concentrate on the next thing you do and let’s try and finish off a great season with some history. The mood before the game was really upbeat as players concentrated on the game in their own way – some quiet, some not so…..

From a spectator point of view this was a cracking game that showcased great handling, exceptional defensive play, some outstanding individual and team plays that showed intelligence beyond their years.  Tries from Tomas Clifford and Liam Randles with a conversion from Donnacha Grealy  and a peach of a penalty kick from Peter Walsh.  A try in the last 7 minutes from Castleisland ensured that this would remain a tight game.  The final score was 15 -7.  The squad that lined out on the day were Adam Cronin – solid in the scrum. Brendan O Donoghue- made some great line breaks. Odeniz Koyun – a powerhouse who’s ball ripping was a joy to behold. Darren Cronin – controlled the line outs with second row partner John McCarthy who also tackled like a lion. The flanks were superbly controlled by both Liam Walsh and Bailey O’Sullivan along with our Captain No 8 Padraic Talbot who all put their bodies on the line time and time again. Peter Walsh continued to pile the pressure on his opposite number at scrums and controlled the ball out to out half Donnacha Grealy who straightened the line on a number of occasions and provided some great ball to the centre partnership of Liam Randles and Tomas Clifford.  Both proved their mettle and deserved the scores made. The wings were very busy in the second half with some great defending from Mikey Moriarty and Rian Colleran made some exceptional line breaks during the game. James Kennelly did well under the high balls and didn’t put a foot wrong all game. Subs on the day were Sean Hickey, Shane McAllister, Josh Campbell, Ruairi Coughlan, Harry Kelly and Cormac Rowe who are all a vital part of the team especially in raising the standard and fight for places in various positions.

 

U14 Captain Padraig Talbot receives the West Munster U14 Cup from KRFC President Mike Fuller

 

West Munster U14 League winners and West Munster U14 Cup winners medals

Thanks to all players and parents for your dedication and support. This has been a very memorable and historic year with this team Cup and League champions for 2016/17 season – John, Seamus and Eoin.

 

Credits:

Photo credits: Liam Murphy, Ian Cronin, John O’Connell.  

Match reports: John O’Connell

Written by: Liam Murphy – Killarney RFC PRO

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