Sunday’s Well 22, Kilfeacle 24.

It was another disappointing result; despite a powerful and resolute performance against high-flying Kilfeacle. The game itself was lost in the most heart-break manner. It was a highly committed full 80-minute performance , despite some pre-match late changes; as some key players like Captain Finn MacFhlannchadha had to drop out.

The ‘Well trailed going into the final couple of minutes with a man down. They mustered pressure and after a solid scrum the ball was spread out to Emeka Asiegbu on the ten metre-line. He made a magnificent burst; barging over two tackles and was about to be dragged down just short of the try-line but he held himself up and gave an inside pass to Mariano Cosimi who crashed over.

The ‘Well looked to wind down the clock after the score; and went through several phases; but when a scrum was awarded their was still time left for Kilfeacle to attack. They had some powerful surges and spread the ball around; eventually utilizing the extra-man with Jacques van Wyngardt claiming the match-winning try and breaking the hearts of the ‘Well players and supporters alike.

The ‘Well got off to a storming start with some intricate attacks. Andrew ‘Bull’ O’Callaghan was constantly barging through the middle, Mariano Cosimi made several great breaks and Cormac Kelliher powered through the middle. David Hourigan had a strong outing at the scrum and knocked over opposing defenders like skittles.

Cormac Kelliher almost got the opening try but was pushed into touch just short of the line with a diving effort; but Ciaran Maguire did put the ‘Well into the lead with a penalty. Kilfeacle struck back and got two tries with a strong middle patch. Bob Purcell powered over before Brendan Barron touched down after a driving maul from a line-out. Luke Heuston converted both.

The ‘Well; with a solid platfrom from the line-out; where Kees PEreka in the second-row alsongside Andrew Mintern claimed excellent ball. The attacking flair; directed by Fabien Loughrey started create clear openings with Harry McHenry cutting inside after Kelliher set up the position; juggling a pass under the attention of several opposing defenders. At the end of the half, a flowing move from the right to the left wing saw Alex Lane touch down. Maguire converted both – with the second one from the touchline magnificently struck to give the ‘Well a 17-14 lead.

The second-half didn’t see any impact on the score-line until the final ten minutes. But there was plenty of action. Ryan O’Donoghue-Kelleher; who usually plies his trade in the backs was shifted to wing-forward alongside Mikey O’Connell. They both had excellent games; with Ryan in particularly noticeable in defence; where he was like a rabid terrier. Chopping down bigger players with low tackles and often pressing up to create turnovers.

The ‘well did create a number o chances with Alex Lane particularly unlucky as a couple of final passes to him were adjudged to be narrowly forward.

As the game reached its conclusion, Kilfeacle pressed with a series of penalties and the ‘Well went a man-down. Purcell crashed over for his second try of the game to put the Tipperary side in front. Emeka made a great burst to set-up Mariano but last ditch score snatched that moment of glory from those two great performers.

Sunday’s Well: Mariano Cosimi; Alex Guerin, Harry McHenry, Andrew O’Callaghan,  Alex Lane; Ciaran Maguire, Fabien Loughrey; David Hourigan, Dylan Cooper, Michael McCarthy; Andrew Mintern, Kees Pereka; Mikey O’Connell, Ryan O’Donoghue-Kelleher, Cormac Kelliher. Replacements: Evan O’Connell, Sean McDonald, Jacob Lane, Darragh Miller, Robert Egar,, Emeka Asiegbu, Eric Kingston.

Kilfeacle: Gareth Thomas; Michael McCormack, Kevin Doyle, Jacques van Wyngardt, Mikey Fitzgibbon; Luke Heuston, Gareth Heuston; Brian Barroon, Brendan Barron, Richard Whitney; Beau Walker, Bob Purcell; Gavin McCormack, Brian Barlow, Kevin Kinane. Replacements: Daniel Lambe, Robert Noonan, Adam Crowe, James Hogan, Muiri Lambe, Timmy Clarke , Killian Noonan.

Scorers: Sunday’s Well: Harry McHenry, Alex Lane, Mariano Cosimi tries; Ciaran Maguire pen, 2 cons.

Kilfeacle: Bob Purcell (2), Brendan Barron, Jacques van Wyngardt tries; Luke Heuston 2 cons.

Bandon 36 Sunday’s Well 20.

It wasn’t just a game of two halves down  in Bandon; as Sunday’s Well dominated for the opening 50 minutes of the entire 80. But with legs tiring and Bandon’s back-line clicking into gear late on; it was the home team who managed to pull ahead and end up taking all the points from the game.

For those 50 minutes it was a great effort at a tough venue against a strong Bandon outfit as they opened up a 20-7 lead. The ‘Well set up their stall from the set piece. The scrum was monstering the hosts; with Evan O’Connell and Mike McCarthy leading the charge. The line-out was also a vital weapon, with Cormac Kelliher dominating in the air and forming several great driving mauls. Finn MacFhlannchadha and Kees Pereka were carrying strongly.

Robert Egar made a strong impression as he started at scrum-half; controlling the tempo of the game. Harry Mchenry made some vital interventions in defence and attack, winning some notable turnovers while Mariano Cosimi and Ryan O’Donoghue Kelleher made several notable surges.

The ‘Well’s set-piece dominance created the opening score. A scrum leading to a penalty – and from the line-out inside the Twenty-Two a strong surge had Bandon hustling on their own line. After a few phases it was John Costello who powered over. Ciaran Maguire converted and soon added a penalty kick – that was awarded off another  scrum.

The ‘Well continued to press and a beautiful flowing attacking move created space out wide for Mariano Cosimi in the right hand corner to extend the lead to 15 points.

Bandon had their first proper attacking foray in the first half. Their persistent pressure and a series of penalties led to a Cormac Kelliher yellow card and less than a minute later; an attacking move saw Robert Egar knock the ball on. It could be argued it was made in the tackle; but the referee adjudged it to be deliberate; and as last defender he yellow-carded him and awarded a penalty-try.

Down to 13 and with a couple of minutes played; Bandon may have fancied another score; but it was the ‘Well who almost added to their tally. Evan O’Connell intercepting as the hosts looked to play out of their Twenty-Two and he foraged towards the try-line. He was stopped just short but unfortunately the ‘Well couldn’t take advantage of the promising position.

Still down to 13 men; the ‘Well won a series of early penalties to pin Bandon back. Kees PEreka forced his way over; but unfortunately a flurry of bodies blocked the referees view until it was too late. It wasn’t to matter as the ‘Well had a penalty advantage and eventually Andrew O’Callaghan touched down just a couple of metres wider.

Back to a full complement and flying-high – there was to be a sudden shift in momentum. Bandon started to get flow to their attacks and making some incisive breaks. Their heads went up when Tom Ferguson touched down with Hugh O’Mahony’s conversion making it a one-score game.

They continued to rally, soon taking the lead and then pulling away; as the ‘Well’s extra effort in those ten minutes down to 13 men began to tell. 

Scorers: Bandon: Hugh O’Mahony try, 3 cons, pen; Penalty try, Tom Ferguson, Tadgh Galvin, Zack Caniffe tries;

Sunday’s Well: John Costello; Mariano Cosimi, Andrew O’Callaghan tries; Ciaran Maguire penalty, con.

Bandon: Hugh O’Mahony; Adam Hutchison, Gearoid O’Leary, Harry Hall, Colm McCarthy; Dylan Barr, Zachary Allen; Padraig Galvin, Scott Kingston, James Collins-O’Brien; Tadgh Galvin, Brendan Twohig; Joshua Brady, Ralph O’Mahony, Tom Ferguson. Replacements: Conor Egan, Jacob Brennan, Robert McCarthy, Daniel Lane, Mark Bateman, Paul Kelly, Zack Canniffe.

Sunday’s Well: MarianoCosimi; Ryan O’Donoghue-Kelleher, Harry McHenry, Andrew O’Callaghan, Alex Lane; Ciaran Maguire, Rob Egar; Evan O’Connell, Dylan Cooper, Michael McCarthy; John Costello, Robert Loftus; Finn MacFhlannchadha, Kees Pereka, Cormac Kelliher. Replacements: Dave Hourigan, Andrew Mintern, Jacob Lane, Mikey O’Connell, Eric Kingston, Emeka Asiegbu, Alex Guerin. 

Sunday’s Well 17 Muskerry 28

A fired up Muskerry side came to Musgrave Park and took the spoils with a dominant opening display securing maximum points for them. The ‘Well were left with a major uphill task as they trailed 17-3 at the break; and a second Tom Griffin try just after the resumption made it even worse.

The ‘Well, after a disappointing start did show some bottle and fight. Led by the talismanic Cormac Kelliher they threatened to at least secure a bonus point for the game; with the rampaging Number Eight surging his way over for a brace of tries. Ciaran Maguire converted both to add to an early penalty; but in the end they weren’t able to add further to their tally.

Scorers: Sunday’s Well: Cormac Kelliher 2 tries; Ciaran Maguire pen, 2 cons.

Muskerry: Tom Griffin (2), Shane O’Riordan, Frankie Horgam tries; Rob Cahillpen, 2 pens, con.

Sunday’s Well: Ciaran Maguire; Alex Lane, Harry McHenry, Ryan O’Donoghue-Kelleher, Emeka Asiegbu; Mariano Cosimi, Fabien Loughrey; Evan O’Connell, Michael McCarthy, Robert Loftus; John Costello, Jacob Lane; Kees Pereka, Finn MacFhlannchadha, Cormac Kelliher. Replacements: Eoin Ahearne, David Hourigan, Sean McDonald, Mikey O’Connell, Billy Pope, Lee O’Keeffe, Alex Guerin.

Muskerry: Tom Griffin; Colm Heehan, Liam Donovan, William Ryan, Frank Horgan; Robert Cahill, Luke Johnston; Cathal Dennehy, Philip O’Callaghan, James Roche; George O’Mahony, Cormac Dennehy; Shane O’Riordan, Damian Kozik, Lewis Grice. Replacements: David Kiely, Matthew Cotter, Peter Wall, Adam Looney, Ciaran O’Connor, Daniel Morrissey, Eoghan O’Leary.