Kiillarney 12 Tralee Listowel 19 (Match report by Seamus Grealy)
This high octane thriller played in splendid conditions on the superb new Aghadoe pitch enthralled down to the last play. The fully loaded and physically bigger visiting pack started with intent and following a sustained period of controlled recycling crossed in the right corner. Killarney struggled to gain any early momentum and compounded matters by conceeding another 7 points after 12 minutes following an interception on the half way line. 12 points in arrears and mostly on the back foot a tough day loomed. However a superb Cian Murphy penalty found touch inside the 22 and suddenly it was the home team forcing the issue and asking all the questions. Craig Mc Kensie Vass, Mark Sheahan, and Dion O Neill were close to scoring in a ten minute period of pressure until eventually Killarney moved the ball wide for Ronan Buckley to cross the tryline. Ciaran O Brien converted. Killarney finished the half strongly but did not convert pressure into points.
The half time score was 12 to 7 for the visitors. Tralee regrouped for the second half and the intensity of the exchanges intensified. Killarney freshened up with several players introduced. Both teams probed for the telling score and it came following a moment of vision by the Tralee out half who cleverly crosskicked for his winger to touch down . To their credit Killarney refused to fold. With 10 minutess to go following some slick midfield passing Craig Mc Kensie Vass broke the cover before releasing James Kennelly who streaked away to score. Killarney went in search of a possible draw and Donnchadh Grealy came agonizingly close in the left corner.
The last minutes were ferociously fought on the Tralee line as Matt McAuliffe, Evan Mannix and Peter Walsh all came close to scoring. Tralee defended resolutely and held out for the victory.All 23 panel members on the day contributed equally in another hugely encouraging performance from this developing team. The Killarney forwards competed fiercely against a hugely impressive visiting unit boasting a number of Munster Academy stars.
Killarney were Ciaran O Brien (Adam Cronin), Craig McKenzie Vass, Rob Nealon, Evan Mannix (Padraig Talbot) , Sam Casey, Brendan O Donoghue, Matt Mc Auliffe and John Mc Carthy. The backline parade of talent starred Dion O Neill (Peter Walsh), Cian Murphy (Donnchadh Grealy), Adam Walsh (Ronan Buckley) Mark Sheahan (Jack O Connell) Thomas Clifford (James Kennelly), Krystian Komosa(Aidan Keane), and Gary Randles.
Photos courtesy of Mary McCarthy
