Newcastle West 22 Sunday’s Well 13

After a strong powerful performance in a tight hard-fought battle; it was disappointment for Sunday’s Well as they up on the wrong end of the scoreline. The ‘Well did score two magnificent tries and could have had more scores earlier; but the clinical doggedness of an experienced Newcastle West side saw them win out.

The ‘Well were on top for the opening thirty minutes but weren’t able to translate that on the scoreboard. Logan Henry was making great runs and off-loads to open up chances; with James Mulcahy and Jamie O’Leary making some powerful bursts. Logan kicked an early penalty to put the ‘Well into the lead and narrowly missed two other difficult long-range efforts, with one hitting off the outside of the post.

With both defences hitting hard; the ‘Well created the best try-scoring opportunities with two great breaks. Off a turnover; the ball was moved out to Alex Lane who almost got into the left-corner. On the opposite side, Gary Downey almost snuck in after a great passing move but great cover defence just shoved him into touch on the opposite side.

Shane Airey was having a great game for the hosts and kicked two penalties to give his side a 6-3 lead and put another one over early in the second-half to extend that lead.

The ‘Well continued to battle. Finn MacFhlannchadha took over the throw-in duties at line-out, regularly finding James Mulcahy and Shane O’Neill, while Damian Kozik covered the hooker position on the field; being in the centre of a very ebbing scrum battle.

The ‘Well fought back and having earned a penalty in mid-field; they used the advantage to get the ball back out wide. Logan put through a perfectly weighted kick to the corner and Alex Lane was going side by side with the covering defender and just managed to get the control when putting the ball down to make it a one point game.

Airey added his fourth penalty and with the game in the balance; they were kicking deep. The Limerick side did manage to benefit from an opportunity when Sean Murphy stole a ball and raced in under the post despite the best effort of Cathal Quinn, with Airey naturally converting.

The ‘Well then produced the moment of the game. Ryan O’Donoghue-Kelleher created a turnover in the defensive Twenty-Two. A superb series of carries and off-loads by both back and forwards saw the ball quickly move up the field and Logan Henry showed great agility to round a tackler before evading a desperate last-ditch ankle tap to touch-down in the corner, turning it into a 19-13 game.

The ‘Well pushed hard but another penalty allowed Airey put the game beyond reach late on.

Next up; is another trip to Limerick; this time to the city where Shannon host us in the Junior Challenge Cup at Coonagh.

Scorers: Newcastle West: Sean Murphy try; Shane Airey 5 pens, con.

Sunday’s Well: Logan Henry try, pen; Alex Lane try.

Newcastle West: Liam Treacy, Daniel Normoyle, Sean Murphy, Cian Mulcahy, Andrew Mortell; Shane Airey, Aaron Rice; TJ Relihan, Sean Corbett, John Walsh; Daniel Power, Padraig Roche; Jack Corkery, Jason Woulfe, Keelan Head. Replacements: Shane Breen, Tyrese Holdbrook, Alan O’Riordan, James Corbett, James Kelly, Julian Bell, James Guina.

Sunday’s Well: Logan Henry; Gary Downey, Jamie O’Leary, Ryan O’Donoghue-Kelleher, Alex Lane; Logan Henry, Daniel Courtney; Mike McCarthy, Damian Kozik, Evan O’Connell; Kevin Holland, John Costello; James Mulcahy, Finn MacFhlannchadha, Shane O’Neill. Replacements: Ian Murphy, Kieran Stokers, Aaron Beale, Mark Kelly, Robert Egar, Alex Guerin, Cathal Quinn. 

Kanturk 22 Sunday’s Well 14

After two big comeback victories, the ‘Well left themselves too much to do late on against a fired up Kanturk side; coached by former ‘Well captain Michael Murphy; whose win should help them secure their place in Division 1 for next season. It was a tough game in difficult wet and boggy conditions; and the period either side of half-time proved pivotal, with the ‘Well seeing too many players yellow carded as Kanturk ran in a series of tries.

The ‘Well did get off to a blistering start. A great move saw Jamie O’Leary crash over with Logan Henry adding the two points. The ‘Well continued to apply pressure – pinning Kanturk deep inside their Twenty-Two but a robust defensive effort by the Duhallow side kept their city visitors at bay.

It was the two O’Sullivans, Bryan and Brian who had that bit of killer edge for the hosts; ending up with a pair of tries each. Having absorbed pressure; when they did get a break they managed to get their first try. The ‘Well responded with Logan Henry continuing to lead the way in the Divisions points scoring charts; as he converted his own try.

However; the end of the half proved a crucial turning point. Kanturk mounted a serious amount of pressure and got their rewards; not necessarily in scores but the ‘Well seeing multiple yellow cards. Kanturk reduced the gap to 14-12 before the break and with a two-man advantage to start the second-half; they stretched out to a 22-14 lead.

With the pitch and conditions getting heavier as the game progressed; Kanturk were able to hold out the ‘Well’s offensive efforts and secure the full points.

While a disappointing result; the ‘Well can regroup for a massive game in Newcastle West; before facing two other teams with whom they are battling it out for a top four finish; in Thurles and Clonakilty. The Newcastle West will also double up as a Junior Challenge Cup semi-final; so is massive on many fronts and the squad and coaches will be eager for a big response in this crucial game against the  in-form County Limerick side.

Scorers: Kanturk: Bryan O’Sullivan, Brian O’Sullivan 2 tries each; Stephen McAuliffe con.

Sunday’s Well: Jamie O’Leary try;Logan Henry try; 2 cons.

Kanturk: Sean O’Brien; Bryan O’Sullivan, Ronan O’Brien, Thomas Vaughan, Brian O’Sullivan, Stephen McAuliffe, Jamie Harrington; Robert Forrest, Tadgh McSweeney, Matt Daly; Cillian O’Sullivan, David O’Sullivan, Dylan O’Connor, Dylan Moynihan, Bernard Daly. Replacements: Kieran O’Sullivan, Barry Sherlock, Con O’Brien, Jack O’Riordan, Dan McCabe, James Moylan, David Fitzpatrick.  

Sunday’s Well: Logan Henry; Alex Lane, Jamie O’Leary, Ryan O’Donoghue-Kelleher,  Gary Downey; Harry McHenry, Daniel Courtney; Evan O’Connell (c), Tadgh McCarthy, Michael McCarthy; Kevin Holland, John Costello; Aaron Walker, Damian Kozik, Shane O’Neill. Replacements: Eoin Ahearne, Ian Murphy, Andrew Mintern, Finn MacFhlannchadha, Eric Kingston, Ian Casey, Cathal Quinn.