U14 West Munster League: Killorglin 17 – 29 Killarney

Killarney U14 Rugby team continued their unbeaten run with a hard fought 29 to 17 win over Killorglan on Sunday last. Although Killorglan came out of the traps the stronger team, Killareny established control at the end of the first half. Killarney are fortunate to have a very large squad and the starting team featured some exceptional rugby from ball carriers Flanker Jack Kelliher,  No 8 Rian Colleran and team captain Micheal Moriarty. This running play resulted in tries that were competently converted by out half Harry Kelly. All forwards tackled and rucked with the strength required to stem the Kilorglan attack, Props Cormac Rowe and Christopher Doody worked very hard with support from Cathal Lanigan Ryan and Alex O’Leary.

            Killarney were dominant in many lineouts with some fine catching from second rows Shane McAllister and Pierce Slattery, with the cunning handling of scrum-half Hugh O’Malley making all the difference. Killarney had to rely on the last line of defence in Darragh Looney and full back Hugh Walsh who literally put his body on the line to stop the pressure from Killorglan.

            The rolling sub system allowed many younger players to test the field with great efforts from younger players including Cathan Harrington, Stephen Dalton, Stephen Walsh, Finn Kennelly and Donncha Coffey. Killarney subs proved effective with Darragh McCormack, Darragh Murphy, Phillip Lyons, Jeremiah Landers, Sam Behal, Gavin O’Leary, Seam Guerin, Adam Doherty and Cormac O’Donoghue. 

            The winner on the day was without question the sportsmanship demonstrated by all players of both teams, this was the overriding sentiment of the spectators, coaches and match officials.