Sunday’s Well 36 Kilfeacle and District 33

Sunday’s Well secured a dramatic victory in a thrilling entertaining clash in the Munster Clubs Challenge Cup. In a topsy-turvy game. Having led for long periods, the ‘Well looked like the game had slipped with two late tries from the Tipperary side putting themi nto a lead approaching the final whistle. The ‘Well showed great resilience to fight back and replacement Cathal Quinn popped up to snatch a victory from an enthralling encounter.

Logan Henry eased the team into the game with a series of penalties, as he exchanged a pair with Kilfeacle to leave the game at six points apiece. Shane O’Neill, who moved into Number Eight crashed over for the first try that Henry converted. The back-row had a big performance throughout, with Finn MacFhlannchadha and Damian Kozik managing to create a lot of crucial turnovers at the breakdown. Another pair of penalties was exchanged to leave the ‘Well with a 16-9 advantage at the break.

Finn capped off a fine performance with an early try in the second half before the visitors responded with a try of their own. The game was very much in the melting pot, and Logan kicked another penalty before Kilfeacle struck back with their second try to make it a 24-21 game.

Alex Guerin may have thought he gave the ‘Well some breathing space with his side’s third try. Kilfeacle are renowned for their Cup prowess and pulled together two late tries that they thought would see them through to the final four. But Cathal Quinn proved the hero for the Cork side; with an excellent composed finish to nudge the ‘Well a point in front at the end; with Logan adding two extra points from the conversion to leave him with a total of 16 points from the match.

The ‘Well will be away to the winners of tomorrow’s clash between Newcastle West and Thurles in the semi-final. h

Scorers: Sunday’s Well: Finn MacFhlannchadha, Shane O’Neill, Alex Guerin, Cathal Quinn tries;Logan Henry 4 pens, 2 cons. 

Sunday’s Well: Logan Henry; Gary Downey, Jamie O’Leary, Alex Guerin, Kieran Maye; Harry McHenry, Eric Kingston; Michael McCarthy, Tadgh McCarthy, Evan O’Connell; Kevin Holland, John Costello; Shane O’Neill, Damian Kozik, Finn MacFhlannchadha. Replacements: Evan O’Mahoney, Eoin Ahearne, Andrew Mintern, Shane Desmond, Aaron Walker, Daniel Courtney, Cathal Quinn.

Kilfeacle: Kevin Doyle; Killian Noonan, Darren Lowry, Keith Bourke, Jacques van Wyngaardt; Luke Heuston, Gavin Heuston; Diarmuid O’Donnell. Richard Whitney, Simon Barry; Rob Purcell, Cian Carroll; Gavin McCormack, Brian Barlow, Kevin Kinane. Replacements: Brian Barron, Brendan Barron, Rian Doody, Adam Crowe, Kyle Morris, Timmy Clarke, Christopher Thomas.