This St. Patrick’s weekend was another action packed weekend for our club with 4 semi finals taking place as well as our Minis taking part in the huge parade in town. A truly historic weekend as our U14 won their development cup semi, our U16 and U18 girls won their Munster Cup semis their semi finals and our Seniors won their Martin OSullivan Cup semifinal.
U16 girls (Report by Tony Dunne):
First up our Killarney/Iveragh/Listowel U16’s hosted a very tough Midleton/Youghal in the Bank of Ireland U16 Girls Munster Cup semifinal at Aghadoe in brutal weather conditions. Killarney/Iveragh/Listowel started well, retaining possession well into the first period. This led to an early try which was converted. The opposition respond well, coming back with with a score try of their own. A period of back and forth possession was followed by our 2nd try, scored in the backs after good through the hands ball, which seen us go into half time at 12 to 5. The 2nd half started with our kick off and after winning possession. With good defence play followed by good possession phase play and good hands the movement of ball out wide led to a 3rd try. Killarney received the kick off, keeping the ball away from their string packs and rucks resulting in a 4th try which was converted.
Some excellent ball handling in desperate conditions coupled with our fitness led to a 5th try for one of our forwards – congrats Holly Barrett on your first official try. Final whistle blows and sees a well deserved victory to Killarney /Iveragh /Listowel and though to the final in Virgin media park park in 2 weeks time. Big thanks to Midleton /Youghal for a great game. Harriet and Ellen for doing water and kicking tee running. Also thanks so much to those who helped with hospitality, very much appreciated. Parents for all the food /treat donations and the brilliant vocal loud sideline of support. Hope to see a big turn out of support for these amazing girls in Virgin media park.
Killarney U18.5 Girls reach Munster Cup Final (report by Diarmuid O’Malley)
Bantry/Dunmanway RFC 20-43 Killarney RFC
Last Saturday the Killarney u18.5 girls travelled to West Cork and in horrendous conditions on the day, defeated a very spirited home team to be reach the Munster Cup final. Down three players who were involved in the Irish u18 camp and a number of other players, Killarney had to dig deep to win a high scoring game. The home side playing with the elements started off very strong and were first to score, which wasn’t converted. After some good running rugby by the visitors skipper Ali O’ Donoghue had a great interchange with Marina Eagar out wide and set up Mary Ellen Mc Donald and the Glencar speedster had too much for the oncoming defense to score under the posts, which the outstanding Killarney scrum half Bronagh Dorrian converted, 05-07 to the visitors to the away team inside the first eight minutes. The Killarney side were determined to score next which they duly did, Niamh Dorrian was at the end of a very good run from the Killarney hooker Ella Guerin-Crowley, 05-12 to Killarney. Next up was Bantry to score a fine try which left the score 10-12 and the home side were more than up for the challenge. Mc Donald was next to score after some good play by Joanne O’Keefe and Molly Gabbett. 10-17 to Killarney at half time. Bantry kicked off the 2nd half and were straight on the attack and crossed the try line which wasn’t converted leaving the score 15-17 to the visitors, game on. Now playing with the elements Killarney really kicked into gear and played some great expansive rugby and scored some super trys through Niamh Dorrian, Crowley and Mc Donald got her third of the day to finish off the contest in style to reach the Munster Cup final.
Killarney Co-Coach Diarmuid O’Malley added “No matter what you throw at this team they are ready for it, losing Clodagh Foley after 15 minutes was a massive loss but whats amazing with this special bunch of girls they all show up and play like a team. In the day that was in it in weatherwise in tough conditions the girls showed how good rugby players they are. We had got news from Killarney earlier that our u16s team had won there cup semifinal so we were determined to join them on Cup final day on Saturday the 30th of March in Virgin Media Park vs Clonakilty, which will be a historic day for girls rugby in Kerry.”
Seniors win Martin O’Sullivan Cup semifinal:
Very well done to our Seniors who also won their semifinal at the weekend. The lads hosted a tough Rugbai Chorca Dhuibhne at a sunny Aghadoe in perfect playing conditions on St. Patrick’s day. A cracking day for a match, with both teams evenly matched, there would never be much between both sides. With tries from Donnchadh Greally, Shane Looney and Harry Kelly, our side proved the stronger. Ciaran O’Brien’s conversion and penalty proved the difference in this hard fought victory for our lads. Next weekend the lads take on Carrick-on-Suir in the Final at Virgin Media Park and kick off is at 2pm on Sunday. All support is very welcome.
U14 girls top off weekend with semifinal weekend:
Also a very well done to our U14 girls who, with Castleisland took on Midleton/Youghal in the U14 Development Cup semifinal at the Craggeens on Bank Holiday morning. The scoreline finished 27-14 to the home side and the girls now face Mallow Green in the Development Cup final, which is scheduled to take place next weekend, likely venue being Virgin Media Park also but date, time and venue to be confirmed. Very well done to our 6 girls Izzy Hilario, Harriet O’Sullivan, Sorcha O’Sullivan, Ellen O’Leary, Alice Eager and Nessa O’Donoghue who represented the club with huge pride, we are so proud of you all and a huge thanks to coaches Andy Caldwell and TJ Brosnan for looking after the girls.
