CLONAKILTY 31

KANTURK 18

GER McCARTHY REPORTS

CLONAKILTY RFC made it back-to-back Munster Junior League Division 1 wins to maintain their ideal start to the campaign.

Having defeated Old Christians in their Division 1 opener, the West Cork club scored five tries en-route to an impressive win over Kanturk under floodlights in Shannonvale on Saturday night.

Clonakilty were fortunate to avoid relegation last season. Now, a beefed-up pack plus an injection of pace within their back division has delivered the best possible start to the new campaign.

‘Look, we are humble enough to realise we would be in Division 2 but for Thomond bailing us out,’ Clonakilty head coach Maurice Downey told The Southern Star.

‘This is a really tough league and our lads are very humble. No one is getting carried away inside our dressing room, I can tell you.

‘The weather has been very kind to us in our first two games as well. We will keep our feet on the ground and go again.’

The home side dominated the early stages, forcing Kanturk to concede a penalty in front of their posts after five minutes. From the base of the ensuing scrum, Gus Averso broke free and forced his way over for the game’s opening try. Niall Barrett’s conversion made it 7-0.

The visitor’s first trip to their opponent’s 22 resulted in a knock-on when a try looked on. Undeterred, Kanturk’s pressure saw Matthew Hootan fire a penalty between the posts.

A delicately-poised game was broken open by a searing Tobi Oliver run from deep in Clon’s half that ended close to Kanturk’s try-line. The visitors managed to clear their lines but a solid line-out and quick hands helped the hosts cross the whitewash for a second time after 16 minutes. Jack Ryan touched down prior to a missed conversion and Clonakilty led 12-3.

Matthew Hootan’s boot kept Kanturk in touch as a second penalty was converted to leave six between the teams.

A scrappy spell dogged by knock-ons, penalties and missed tackles preceded the game’s third try after 34 minutes.

Tobi Oliver capitalised upon quick hands and released Gus Averso to race in under the posts. Niall Barrett’s conversion stretched the Shannonvale club’s advantage to 19-6 at the interval.

Sixty seconds into the second period, a superb kick from inside his own half saw Eanna O’Mahony force Clonakilty to concede a line-out five metres from their try-line.

Patiently retaining possession, Kanturk bided their time before moving the ball wide for hooker Denis O’Donoghue to touch down. Paul O’Keeffe’s successful conversion made it a six-point game once again.

Any concerns Clonakilty would be unable to respond were dispelled after 47 minutes. Another sweeping move through the Shannonvale club’s backs released centre Ben Lovell who avoided a tackle before diving over for a terrific try. A missed conversion meant the hosts led 24-13 heading into the final quarter.

A yellow card for Brian O’Sullivan (Kilbrin) increased the pressure on a Kanturk team turned over and subsequently penalised inside their own 22 with 14 minutes left.

Niall Barrett missed the resulting penalty but Clonakilty utilised their numerical advantage to rack up a fifth try shortly after. Tobi Oliver once again utilised his electric pace in the build-up to scrum-half Patrick McCarthy going in under the posts.

Barrett made no mistake from the ensuing conversion but Kanturk, now back to their full complement, finished on the front foot. Sean O’Brien went over in the corner to complete the evening’s scoring.

• Ahead of kick off, a minute’s silence was observed for the late Denis Noonan, a Clonakilty RFC stalwart, who passed away earlier in the week.

Scorers

Clonakilty: G Averso (2 tries), J Ryan (1 try), B Lovell (1 try), P McCarthy (1 try), N Barrett (3 cons).

Kanturk: D O’Donoghue (1 try), S O’Brien (1 try), M Hootan (2 pens), P O’Keeffe (1 con).

Clonakilty: R Howick; B Lovell, T Oliver, L Foster, C Hayes; N Barrett, P McCarthy; M McCarthy, J Ryan, D Jennings (captain); M Deegan, O Deane; R White, J Beamish, G Averso.

Replacements: C Walton, W Tyner, E Murphy, P Deane, C Bateman, E Ferguson, F Neville.

Kanturk: M Hootan; S O’Brien, B O’Sullivan (Castle), E O’Mahony, B O’Sullivan (Kilbrin); S McAuliffe, J Moylan; B Kelleher, D O’Donoghue, M Daly; C O’Sullivan (captain), B Daly; D O’Connor, R O’Brien, R O’Brien, D Moynihan.

Replacements: T McSweeney, K O’Sullivan, R Forrest, J O’Riordan, D O’Sullivan, M Twohig, P O’Keeffe.

Referee: Jack O’Sullivan.