Impressive display from Ennis

Ennis 23   Kinsale 22

IN great conditions on a hardened pitch, Ennis played their best rugby of the year and had a well-deserved win against Kinsale in what was their final home league game of the season on Sunday.

 

The signs were not good for Ennis early on as Kinsale raced into a 12-0 lead with two tries within the first 10 minutes.

Ennis grew into the game and replied with a good team try. The conversion was missed leaving the score at 5-12 to Kinsale.

For the remainder of the half, Ennis retained the ball well and worked their way back up into the Kinsale 22. After good retention, Ennis out-half David Murphy cleverly kicked behind the Kinsale defence. Conor Dolan raced onto the kick to go over unchallenged. The conversion was missed leaving Kinsale 12-10 in front at half-time.

After the break, Ennis started strong and again from good running rugby made good ground into the Kinsale 22. After controlled build-up play, Ennis put the ball through the hands and winger Shaun O’Flannagan went over for Ennis third try.

Ennis controlled the first 25 minutes of the second half and added a further two penalties making the score 23-12.

Kinsale came back into the game and scored a good team try but they failed to convert.

Kinsale applied good pressure and scored again with five minutes to go. The missed conversion meant that Ennis still held the lead by a single point 23-22 at the final whistle. Ennis’ management may be unhappy at the fact that Ennis tired and allowed the visitors back into the contest to secure two bonus points.

Ennis held out to record a good win and with one league game to go will be looking to finish with another good performance and a win away to Newport.

Ennis: Conor Dolan, Brandon Grant, John Moore, Niall Nevin, Shaun O’Flannagan, David Murphy, Cian Guilfoyle, Joe Moloney, Dave O’Connor, Liam Ryan, Enda Galvin, Pa Harding, Darragh Killeen, Brian Dolan, Kelan Flynn.
Subs: Evan Lewis, Noel Downes, Damien Forde, Jason Considine, Frank Coffey.