Author: John P Foley

Match Report

Clonakilty 19 Sunday’s Well 35

Sunday’s Well ended their League campaign with a rousing away performance against a fired up tough Clonakilty side. It was another excellent fluent display that yielded maximum points. Despite the absence of several key personnel, a lot of players have improved with increased playing style and the team structure has been particularly strong; that it is almost a shame that the season has ended here.

It was a dry day in West Cork with a strong wind and the game played on a soft pitch. It was a tight opening game with defences on top  and a lot of robust tackling. The ‘Well pack gradually imposed themselves on the game with a powerful set-piece and applying a lot of pressure at the breakdowns.

Like against Thurles; it was Finn MacFhlannchahda who made the crucial breakthrough with a powerful surging run under the posts, with Logan Henry converting. Indeed; Logan who has played multiple positions in the backline with distinction finished the game with a perfect record of 5 from 5; to round off a magnificent high-scoring season that should see him top of the scoring charts when the League fully concludes for other teams.

This score spurted the ‘Well into some excellent intricate play; that yielded another try four minutes later. Jamie O’Leary was the one who expertly finished off a free flowing move in the left corner. Clonakilty did get on the front foot for the final minutes of the half and halved the gap with a try from Conor Hayes that Eoin Downey converted.

Jamie O’Leary made a blistering start to the second-half and scored a great individual effort. He made a great kick down the line that he chased and superbly gathered the ball before it went over the dead-ball line for the try, making it 21-7 with Logan’s conversion.

The bonus point was secure within ten minutes of the second-half. Damian Kozik, who was industrious as ever made a great turnover. The ‘Well then went on to win a penalty that they kicked to the corner and a great driving maul saw Shane O’Neill touch down.

Cathal O’Regan struck back with a try for the West Cork team but Cathal Quinn effectively sealed the game on the hour mark with the ‘Well’s fifth try, before David Jennings touched down for Clon’s third.

The pack set the stall for this game; which was always going to be a tough one. Kevin Holland and James Mulcahy did a lot of dirty work with the front-row of Kieran Stokes, Adam Brown and Michael McCarthy establishing a firm platform.

Daniel Courtney was lively at scrum-half, with Logan as ever being the pivot around which many attacks evolved. Jamie O’Leary undoubtedly deserved his pair of tries while Bobby Smith also shone from full-back.

It has been a new adventure for many; and we thank all our supporters. As we knew; it wasn’t going to be easy in a very tough Division but the team has learned and grown in confidence and will look to build on this experience. With turnout at training and games throughout the season being impressive and players from the Mixed Ability and Thirds teams up being as crucial to sustaining a continued spirit and determination in the club.

Scorers: Clonakilty: Conor Hayes, Cathal O’Regan, David Jennings tries; Eoin Downey 2 cons.

Sunday’s Well: Finn MacFhlannchadha, Jamie O’Leary (2), Shane O’Neill, Cathal Quinn tries; Logan Henry 5 cons.

 Clonakilty: Sean Madden; Jim Twomey, Ben Lovell, Craig Bateman, Conor Hayes; Eoin Downey, Patrick McCarthy; William Tyner, Tom Doyle, David Jennings; Michael Deegan, Maurice Downey; Matthew McCarthy, Rory White, Cathal O’Regan. Replacements:  Christopher Walton, Ciaran McCarthy, Eoin Murphy, Luke McCarthy, Conor Murphy, Cian Downey, Rob Howick Finglas.

Sunday’s Well: Bobby Smith; Gary Downey, Logan Henry, Jamie O’Leary, Alex Lane; Harry McHenry, Daniel Courtney; Kieran Stokes, Adam Brown, Michael McCarthy; Kevin Holland, Shane O’Neill; James Mulcahy, Damian Kozik, Finn MacFhlannchadha. Replacements: Andrew Ryan-Crowley, Ian Murphy, Don Spicer, Mikey O’Connell, Robert Egar, Alex Guerin, Cathal Quinn. 

Match Report

It was great to welcome Michael Martin to SW today and I’d like to thank all the Exec and everyone that made today possible. Above all it was a great “club” day and to see Michael and his brothers come back to the clubhouse after the game was a credit to our squad and members that showed today what we stand for as a club.

Sunday’s Well 48 Thurles 10

Sunday’s Well produced a top tier performance to emerge victorious with a seven-try winning display over a tough determined Thurles outfit. It was an all-round great team display; exemplified by a magnificent showing from Logan Henry who finished the game with a personal tally of 23 points; and was unselfish in setting up the superb Shane O’Neill for a try at the end.

The ‘Well had the bonus-point sewn up by half-time as they held a 27-3 advantage at the break. They were looking to play with dynamism and carry hard. James Mulcahy, O’Neill and Kevin Holland were getting hands on the ball multiple times, carrying up the middle and looking for support. It created space and opportunities for the likes of Gary Downey and Jamie O’Leary to expose.

In defence; the ‘Well showed immense grit and determination. They were often seeking the opportunities to create turnovers; with Downey, Damian Kozik and Ryan O’Donoghue-Kelleher often aiming and succeeding in winning the ball back in the tackle or break-down.

The game was tight for the opening twenty minutes with Logan and Jack Flanagan exchanging penalties. Finn MacFhlannchadha made a great carry after the ball went through several hands for the first try; quickly followed up by a great inside ball from Kozik to Logan for the Kiwis first try.

The ‘Well were assisted by a red-card to a Thurles second-row after that score but were starting to get on top in any case. They made advantage of the extra man with two tries at the end of the half from the never tired Daniel Courtney before Logan added his second try; with James Mulcahy making a great line-out take and later carry and off-load to set-up Courtney.

Thurles did pull a powerful second-half display together despite being a man down. They were dogged in defence and kept forcing the ‘Well to make that extra pass and carry; and were rewarded a few times for their efforts.

Eventually; a sublime driving maul saw Adam Brown get the first try of the second half. Before great interplay between Logan and Alex Guerin set-up Robert Egar for a try. Thurles got a deserved consolation try but the ‘Well had the last say with Shane O’Neill going under the posts after the dancing feet of Logan created the opening.

It was a great finish to a very strong home campaign by the ‘Well. There is still a very difficult derby against Clonakiity on the road to finish the League campaign with a place in the All Ireland Cup still very much up for grabs.

Scorers: Sunday’s Well: Logan Henry 2 tries, 5 cons, pen; R Egar try, con; Finn MacFhlannchadha, Daniel Courtney, Adam Brown, Shane O’Neill tries.

Thurles: Luke Kelly try; Jack Flanagan pen, con.

Sunday’s Well: Logan Henry; Gary Downey, Jamie O’Leary, Ryan O’Donoghue-Kelleher, Alex Lane; Harry McHenry, Daniel Courtney; Kieran Stokes, Adam Brown, Michael McCarthy; Kevin Holland, Shane O’Neill; James Mulcahy, Damian Kozik, Finn MacFhlannchadha. Replacements: Andrew Ryan-Crowley, Gary O’Sullivan, Andrew Mintern, Mikey O’Connell, Robert Egar, Alex Guerin, Bobby Smith.

Thurles: Paddy McGrath; Cathal Hayes, Luke Fogarty, Sonny Dwyer, Sean McGrath; Jack Flanagan, Seamus Holohan; Gerard McCormack, Shane Nugent, John Shaw; Luke Kelly, Colin Nolan; Peter Kinane, Mark Cummins, Sam Quinlan. Replacements: Ciaran Murphy, Jack Kavanagh, Stephen Kirwan, Ciaran Ryan, Donnacha Ryan, Noah Mellors, Eoghan O’Dwyer.  

Match Report

Shannon 35, Sunday’s Well 19

Sunday’s Well were drawn a tough fixture to open their Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup campaign as they had to travel to a strong Shannon outfit. The ‘Well side; with numerous key players put in a strong effort – particularly in the second-half where they threatened a big come-back.

Shannon got off to a flying start, with plenty of top division experience in the AIL. They ran in three tries before Damian Kozik responded for the ‘Well, but another try for the Limerick side; all converted left the half-time score at 28-5 in favour of the hosts.

However; the ‘Well showed great temperament and spirit and played a great amount of rugby in the second-half. The pack battled hard with Kozik and Mike McCarthy putting in big efforts. Logan Henry and Alex Lane helped mount several attacks and a pair of tries midway through the half by Gary Downey and Bobby Smith, both converted by Logan Henry made it a 28-19 game.

The ‘Well continued to press hard but robust Shannon defence kept them at bay and the hosts finished off the game with a fifth try to put some gloss on the scoreboard.

The final home League game of the season will see the ‘Well look to push for a top four finish as they host rivals Thurles. Kick-off is at 4pm on Saturday.

Scorers: Shannon: David Smith, Scott Gleeson, Mark Maloney, Alan Flannery, Matt Burke tries; Cillian O’Connor 5 cons.

Sunday’s Well: Damian Kozik, Gary Downey, Bobby Smith tries; Logan Henry 2 cons.

Shannon: Richard Mullane; David Smith, Paul Curtis, Alan Flannery, Paddy Hassett; Cillian O’Connor, Mark Maloney; Nathan Walsh, Shane Carew, Matt Burke; Ciaran Vaughan, Jade Kriel; Will Bright, Scott Glesson, Darren Ferrar.

Sunday’s Well: Bobby Smith; Cathal Quinn, Jamie O’Leayr, Alex Lane, Gary Downey; Logan Henry, Daniel Courtney; Mike McCarthy, Kieran Stokes, Evan O’Connell; Kevin Holland, Shane O’Neill; James Mulcahy, Damian Kozik, Finn MacFhlannchadha. Replacements:  Ian Murphy, Adam Browne, Mark Kelly, Rob Egar, Harry McHenry.