Sunday’s Well 19 Richmond 14

The ‘Well earned a tough hard-fought victory at a windswept Musgrave Park against a tough Richmond side. Teams between these two clubs; either at Senior or Junior Level are always tight and tenacious; with any form book often thrown out the window. This proved every bit as tense as other games but the tenacity and spirit of the ‘Well players saw them hold out for their first League win of the campaign.

The wind had the element in their favour in the first half and made an immediate impact. Within four minutes; they managed to cross over the line with Kees Pereka, the New Zealand dynamo powering his way over the line. Ciaran Maguire added the conversion to give the ‘Well a perfect start.

With the pack grinding hard and Fabien Loughrey and Maguire controlling the tempo; the ‘Well continued to have the better of the exchanges.  By half-time had stretched their lead to 16=0, with the reliable foot of Maguire kicking a further three penalties.

On the resumption, some of the ‘Well’s defensive abilities were tested more. The Limerick side battled had and managed to make a breakthrough with their wing-forward Graham Kirwan forcing his way over. The ‘Well though managed the game; and managed to create some pressure of their own – ending in the only point secured into the wind with a magnificent solid kick by Maguire.

Replacement Gerard Barry made it a one-score game with five minutes remaining but the ‘Well dug deep and retained a strong disciplined defence to see out the game and earn a crucial four points.

Scorers: Sunday’s Well: Kees Pereka try; Ciaran Maguire 4 pens, con.

Richmond: Graham Kirwan, Gerard Barry tries, Brian Mullins 2 cons.

Sunday’s Well:  Bobby Smith; Alex Smith, Mariano Cosimi, Harry McHenry, Alex Guerin; Ciaran Maguire, Fabien Loughrey; Evan O’Connell, Dylan Cooper, Michael McCarthy; Andrew Mintern, John Costello; Kees Pereka, Finn MacFhlannchadha, Cormac Kelliher. Replacements:  Sean McDonald, Eoin Carmody, David Hourigan, Mikey O’Connell, Daniel Courtney, David O’ Dwyer, Andrew O’Callaghan.

Richmond: Jack O’Hanlon; Osama Farag, Michael Kelleher, Ben Gallagher, Ronan Kelleher; Brian Mullins, Jake Kavanagh; Nigel Clancy, Adam Somers, James Reeves; Jeffrey Rainsford, Ross Walsh, Jason Murray, Graham Kirwan, Dillon Cotter. Replacements: Colin Kelly, Gerard Barry, Sean Farrell, Conor McMahon, Sean Bennett, Billy Power, Shane Halpin.