Emphatic win secures Clonmel's First Division survival
Kilfeacle 12 Clonmel 36
Picture the scene -- it was the last Munster Junior League game of the season for Clonmel; the venue was The Hill, Kilfeacle, a club and venue noted for breaking people's hearts and shattering people's dreams; Clonmel had to win this game if they were to stay in Division 1 next season. The pressure was on.
Encounters between Clonmel and Kilfeacle are always closely contested, with neither side giving sway and usually only a score or two separates the teams at the end of the game. However this was not to be the case on Sunday. An on-form Clonmel side, with a number of key players returning from injury, defeated an out-of-form, injury-riddled Kilfeacle side 36 points to 12.
One of the most notable features for Clonmel was the return of Eoin Anderson, Philly Corby and John Stokes to the front row. This is the first time this trio had played together in almost four months. They made their presence felt by providing a solid base for the scrum. In particular John Stokes showed tremendous form by scoring a try and chasing and harrowing the Kilfeacle back line to set up a try for David Joyce.
It took Clonmel about eight minutes to settle. During this period they soaked up a lot of pressure from Kilfeacle, then the Clonmel backs broke loose and brought the forwards into the game. The next couple of minutes pressure from Clonmel resulted in a penalty that Danny Lyons, who had a 100% record of place kicking all day, slotted the ball between the uprights.
From the kick-off Clonmel were back into the Kilfeacle 22 and forced another penalty that Lyons (Morgan) kicked for touch. Leahy for Clonmel secured the ball in the line out, handed it to Stokes who peeled to crash over the line for the opening try. Lyons (D) kicked a super conversion against a very strong cross wind to make the score Clonmel 10, Kilfeacle 0 after 12 minutes. Five minutes later Lyons (D) scored from another penalty. After about 25 minutes Podge Leahy had to leave the field with a leg injury. Leahy would be a huge loss but John Gallagher, his replacement, stepped up to the mark and played an outstanding game.
With ten minutes remaining in the first half, Clonmel were back into Kilfeacle's half. The forwards set up a good platform for John Long at scrum half to pick at will and set the backs moving. The ball was passed from right wing to left wing and back again. Morgan Lyons received the last pass. With a lot of ground to cover he broke through two tackles to score to the right of the post. Brother Danny slotted the conversion.
Kilfeacle were not going to give up this game without a fight, and from the kick-off they won the ball back and drove toward Clonmel's ten metre line. From the ensuing ruck the ball was passed to John Keenan, the Kilfeacle fullback. The wise head of Keenan quickly assessed all the options and he chipped the ball for his right winger, Dave Stapleton, to chase. Stapleton was fast. All the Clonmel back line was out of position. Stapleton gathered the ball and all he had to do was head for the try line. Then David Joyce appeared from nowhere and made a try-saving tackle that also put Stapleton into touch. And so the first half ended Clonmel 20, Kilfeacle 0.
Within five minutes of the re-start Clonmel were awarded another penalty that Lyons again converted. But three minutes after that Kilfeacle took control and another chip from Keenan set the left winger, Tom Tierney, on the chase. Tierney gathered well and scored a good try. The conversion was missed. Clonmel responded quickly and within minutes were down into the Kilfeacle 22 and were awarded another penalty. With the score at Clonmel 26, Kilfeacle 5, Clonmel kept the pressure on. It was at this point that Stokes followed foot rush after foot rush. With the try line getting closer Stokes kicked ahead again. This time help was on its way in the form of David Joyce, who picked and dived over the line for the try. Lyons converted.
With less than 10 minutes left a poor clearance from Clonmel was collected by Dave Stapleton deep inside his own half on the right wing. Stapleton went on a run, side stepped four tackles and scored a super individual try that was converted by Keenan. Daniel Lyons then rounded off a great day's kicking by slotting another penalty over the bar.x
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Weather for Clonmel
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy rain
Temperature: 2 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
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Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
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