Kilrush win North Munster Conference

Kilrush 29   NewcastleWest 22

In a very close affair at the UL grounds in Annacoty, Kilrush U-14s added the North Munster Conference title to their recently won U-15 title beating Newcastle West in a game of nine tries.
The final try came from Andrew Naughton in the last play of the game that was converted by David O’Brien when the game looked destined for a replay as the sides were locked together at 24-24.

Two minutes earlier, Newcastle had breached the Kilrush line but were dispossessed by a brilliant tackle from Sean McNamara before the ball could be grounded.

Kilrush took an early 10-0 lead with two tries scored by Sean Walsh. Playing with a strong wind, Kilrush looked to be in control of the game but two tries by Newcastle West’s impressive centre, including a soft intercept try, tied up the game at 10-10.

Aaron Hogan touched down just before half-time and David O’Brien converted to leave it 17-10 at half-time to Kilrush.

Newcastle West, now with the wind at their backs, cleverly played for territory in the second half and equalised at 17-17 when scoring under the posts.

Kilrush forwards trucked the ball up the middle from their own 22 and then powerhouse second row Sean Walsh thundered from halfway to score his third try and Kilrush led 22-17. This lead was short-lived as excellent kicking by Newcastle West pinned Kilrush into the corner where Newcastle scored to level the game at 22-22.

The Limerick team, for the last 10 minutes, were camped in the Kilrush 22. Excellent defence on two occasions prevented certain tries. Hooker Eanna Cunningham and Cian Edwards-Murphy held up the Newcastle 8 and turned over possession. Last-man tackles by Mark O’Malley Craig McKiernan and Sean McNamara kept Kilrush in the game.

It ended when Sean McNamara broke up the wing helped by Paul Fennell and Sean Walsh before Andrew Naughton touched down and David O’Brien converted to give a final score of 29 to 22 in favour of Kilrush.
Nuala Hennigar Munster Youths rugby secretary presented the cup to Kilrush captain Cian Edwards-Murphy who congratulated Newcastle West for a sporting and entertaining affair.

Kilrush: Mark Shannon, Craig McKiernan, Sean Mannion, Aaron Hogan, Sean McNamara, David O’Brien, Conor Deloughrey, Paul Fennell, Eanna Cunningham, Cormac Moloney, Danny Berminghan, Sean Walsh, Kieran McNamara Aidan Reynolds and Cian Edwards-Murphy.
Subs: Gavin Kelly, Andrew Naughton, Stephen Nolan, Eoin O’Shea, David Martin, Mark O’Malley, Brian Murphy and Fionn Liddane.