Our U18.5 hosted Clonakilty/ Dunmanway on Saturday night under lights which drew a big crowd to come and support.
With all to play for in these knock out stages Clonmel were loudly welcomed and cheered onto the field of play by our very own players from the Mini’s U7’s squad.
From the kick off the visitors started strong and put enormous pressure on for the first 15 minutes, the unbelievable tackles and defence from all our players was immense, massive leadership shown from Jack Fitzpatrick and Sam Normile to hold our team strong on our own line.
With all majority of attack play from the visitors it appeared to give them an edge but Clonmel had other ideas and just abided their time with glimpses of the Green Machine machine beginning to fire up.
7 nil at the half time break to the Cork visitors our team formed the team huddle to refocus and with encouraging words from our head coach Gerrit Huisamen for the 2nd half the Clonmel game plan was realigned with the first touch of the ball. A move straight off the training pitch, our own Dylan Flack carried straight up the field with an offload to his partner in crime Mbekezeli Masuku on his shoulder to touchdown over the whitewash.
The Clonmel engine was now fully warmed up and went in to game control mode with huge defensive tackling from wingers Chis Lee and Tom Murphy, the torment they caused the visitors at every chance was just heroic.
Two more quick team successive try’s from PJ Walsh and Kaylum Hackett with both converted precisely by the ever dependable Jack O’Brien. With the full time approaching Clonmel decided to close out the game with another score from a super try in corner by Anthony Fitzgerald to make it 29 - 07 win at the final whistle.
Massive thanks to Clonakilty/ Dunmanway for a very entertaining game and we wish them the very best for the rest of the season.
Our U18’s now move into the semifinal slot which will be the focus now for that occasion.
