Sunday’s Well 32, St Mary’s 33.

In their final league game of the season; which saw Sunday’s Well honour one of their all-time greats; Ricky Davitt, the first team had a mixed day. Ending the season in defeat but earning two vital bonus points that guaranteed their safety; even if a multitude of other results were to go against them.

Playing into the wind in the first-half; the ‘Well struggled to stifle a wave of Mary’s attacks as the Limerick side took a 21-6 advantage. Even with the likes of Dylan Cooper and John Costello making superb interventions on their own line to prevent further scores. Ciaran Maguire kicked two penalties to get the ‘Well on the scoreboard in the first-half.

On the resumption; a fantastic intercept inside his own half saw Dylan Cooper race up to the opposing Twenty-Two. He powered past the tackle of the chasing winger and showed pace to get past the other recovering defenders. Maguire converted but Mary’s responded through a try from Stephen Hayes who bulldozed over.

The ‘Well though built up the pressure and after persistent pressure Fabien Loughrey touched down with Maguire conversion making it a one score game at 26-20. Emeka Asiegbu had a quiet game for the first 65 minutes; but when he did get his hands on the ball he made it count. A strong carry bought play inside the 22 and Mariano Cosimi followed up with an incisive cutting run. The ball was then played through with James Barrett seeming to get the ball down. Maguire’s conversion put the ‘well in front for the first time 27-26.  

Alex Lane made a magnificent try-saving tackle at the other end; but with Mary’s having advantage they continued to press on the line and eventually got awarded a penalty-try. The ‘Well didn’t let up and their power off the bench continued to tell with Andrew Mintern being the third replacement to get a try as he snuck over the line. Unfortunately Maguire narrowly missed the conversion and Mary’s held out for a thrilling victory.

Scorers: Sunday’s Well: Dylan Cooper, Fabien Loughrey, James Barrett, Andrew Mintern tries; Ciaran Maguire 2 pens, 3 cons.

St Mary’s: Ruairi O’Donell, Nicky Hogan, James O’Brien, Stephen Hayes, penalty try tries; Adam Guerin 3 cons.

Sunday’s Well: Mariano Cosimi; Alex Guerin, Harry McHenry, Andrew O’Callaghan, Emeka Asiegbu; Ciaran Maguire, Fabien Loughrey; Evan O’Connell, Michael McCarthy, David Hourigan; Robert Loftus, John Costello; Finn MacFhlannchadha, Kees Pereka, Cormac Kelliher. Replacements: Dylan Cooper, Andrew Mintern, James Barrett, Aaron Walker, Eric Kingston, Lee O’Keeffe, Alex Lane.

St Mary’s: Arron Nunan; Rio Tier, James O’Brien, Adam Kiely, Tyrone O’Halloran; Adam Guerin, Rob Guerin; Ian Cullen, Darren Radcliffe, Nathan Walsh; Ronan Gallagher, Stephen Hayes; Keith Hyland, Nicky Hogan, Ruairi O’Donnell. Replacements: Mark O’Driscoll, Darragh Fitzgerald, Keith O’Brien, Tom Harrington, Jazz Pendejito, Jordan Duggan Craig Duggan.