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.
