Sunday’s Well 16 Mallow 13
For the second week in a row the ‘Well were involved in an enthralling finish that went right down to the wire. Once again emerging victorious with Logan Henry showing the cool veins of a reptile to kick a long-range penalty into the wind to snatch the result.
It was a real dogfight of a battle between two tough and committed teams. Mallow have been a true force; having won every game so far this year; and their was some added incentive; with the Glynn brothers; many who spent significant time at the ‘Well being a vital core to the Mallow team both in the back and in the back-line.
Before the game; there was a poignant minutes silence for Aidan O’Reilly who sadly passed away this week. A great player and leader for the club during some glorious years. Many team members on both sides would have played with him and the ‘Well showed a grit and tenacity throughout; that embodied O’Reilly’s playing spirit.
There was little space being found for either side out on the back-pitch at Musgrave (Virgin Media) Park. The ‘Well struck first through a penalty from Logan Henry. The ‘Well were tenacious at the breakdown, with some great turnovers and Jamie O’Leary made a great kick and chase but was blocked off the ball; leading to a yellow card for Rory Stewart.
Despite the man advantage, Mallow dug in, held their line and started to gain some territorial advantage. Sam Glynn levelled the scores before ‘Well old-boy Sean Glynn powered his way over the line; with Sam adding the extras to make it a 10-3 game to the visitors.
The ‘Well’s best move of the first-half came right at the end. A short line-out was recycled to hooker Tadgh McCarthy who burst along the side-line. He then fed James Mulcahy who bought play to within seven metres of the line; but the ball was just nudged forward and Mallow were able to kick the ball off the field from the resulting scrum.
A magnificent kick by Jimmy Glynn at the start of the second-half, from 22 to 22 saw his team awarded an attacking line-out. Mallow continued to apply pressure but the ‘Well defence stood firm. They thought they snatched turnovers a couple of side but were deemed to have come from ahead of the ball. One of the resulting penalties allowed Sam Glynn make it a 10 point game.
The ‘Well could have easily dropped their heads but continued to grow. Daniel Courtney had a magnificent game when he came on as a replacement scrum-half. His hustle and bustle both in defence and attack just gave his side an extra edge. His presence particularly on the opposition scrum stopped them from building up any attacking plat-form.
Logan Henry and Alex Guerin were starting to make the hard yards while James Mulcahy and Shane O’Neill carried strongly. Eventually the ‘Well built up a series of attacks; culminating in an attacking line-out; with a driving maul so powerful it was almost threatening to run beyond the dead-ball line; before Damian Kozik touched down. Logan slotted the conversion and later added a penalty to level the scores going into the final ten minutes.
Both sides were pushing for the winning score and both defences; as throughout the game weren’t giving a game. Mallow thought they had a chance; but a Glynn effort form inside half-way just drifted left into the Kinsale Road End. Logan kicked the resulting 22 deep and a magnificent kick chase saw Mallow put under pressure and the ‘Well winning a penalty. It was a few metres closer than Glynn’s long-range effort but into a stiff wind. Logan struck it sweetly and managed to go over the middle of the crossbar to snatch a victory that solidifies the ‘Well top-four credentials.
Their were great scenes of jubilation afterwards with the squad giving a rousing rendition of Bless ‘Em All to cap a game that was played with great spirit and attitude by both sides.
Scorers: Sunday’s Well: Damian Kozik try;Logan Henry 3 pens, con.
Mallow: Sean Glynn try; Sam Glynn 2 pens, con.
Sunday’s Well: Gary Downey; Ian Casey, Jamie O’Leary, Alex Guerin, Alex Lane; Logan Henry, Eric Kingston; Evan O’Connell (c), Tadgh McCarthy, Michael McCarthy; Kevin Holland, John Costello; James Mulcahy, Damian Kozik, Shane O’Neill. Replacements: Eoin Ahearne, Shane Carey, Andrew Mintern, Aaron Walker, Daniel Courtney, Ryan Kelleher, Emeka Asiegbu..
Mallow: Jimmy Glynn; David Breen, Sam Glynn, Ruari Karlsen, Ronan Mills; Kenneth Mills, Sean O’Riordan; Eoin Buckley, Stephen Hayes, Chris O’Regan; Michael O’Callaghan, Owen Glynn; Bryan Henry, Ryan Stewart, Sean Glynn. Replacements: Steven Finn, Aaron Holland, Michael Hayes, Rory Murphy, Conor Ellis, Ois Moynihan, Stuart Henderson.
