Match Report: Killorglin RFC V Charleville & District RFC 26/11/23

With the rain holding off and still conditions in Killorglin RFC, Charleville Boys gathered promptly for their warm up and got their physicality up with a focus on their tackle and ruck. They were in the backyard of a team that they edged out at home in the league only a couple of weeks ago. Memories of that day would still be fresh, and the Charleville were left in no doubt that Killorglin would want to make it honours even today.

But cup rugby is different gravy. You show up, or you go home.

The game plan was simple, compete for everything. The back row had to get up fast and cut off supply to the Killorglin centres, who we know could do damage when moving at full tilt with ball in hand. Charleville started the match strongly, getting their tackles in early, closing fast on Killorglin ball carriers and competing at the breakdown. This early pressure was rewarded in the second minute, with Connor Quin collecting a ball out wide after intense phases of ruck ball to streak down the left touch line and dive in the corner to score. A good effort at the conversion from out wide had the distance but not the direction to make the score 0-5.

What ensued for the next 15 minutes was an intense battle between the teams, with most of the action between the 10m lines either side of halfway. Neither team looked for the sanctuary of the touchline, even on penalties, of which there were quite a few. Instead, there were hard carries and furious contests on the floor. Reports of some “old fashioned” behaviour at the ruck that one would think enforcement of the modern laws should have eliminated from the game were evident. But Charleville Boys kept their composure and focused on sticking to the game plan. This focus was rewarded on 15mins, when again the ball was fed out wide as Killorglin were sucked into the breakdown area. Muiris O’Riordan took off down the left flank to score. With the conversion attempt the final moment of the half, Charleville went to half time 0-10 in front.

The second 17 minute period picked up exactly where it left off. Killlorglin started strongly pilling on huge pressure with Charleville straining every sinew to keep them out. Although camped on Charleville’s line Killorglin were held out for a long spell until they finally they managed to score a try that they converted to narrow the gap 7-10.

Ordinarily, such a moment would be a momentum swinger, especially for a home team coming from behind with a vocal support on the touchline. But these Charleville boys are made of something different, and a big ingredient is character with a good dollop of grit! The next score would be crucial.

The intensity of the physical exchanges continued as Killlorglin sought desperately to get down to the Charleville line once more. Thinking that there was nobody home, Killlorglin punted a ball down into Charleville 22, but Harry O’ Connor was on hand to collect and launch a counterattack. Charleville managed to set up a couple of rucks and with fast ball, Pauric Crowley saw the Killorglin defence out of position. With a deftly executed cross field kick just managing to stay in play, Luke Hogenes was able to sweep up the left, pick up the ball on the run and cut inside to beat two defenders to score on the 10min of the half. With the score now 5-15, Charleville had a chink of daylight, and they needed it.

The remainder of the half saw Charleville simply “empty the tank” in keeping Killorglin out. The energy sapping final 7 minutes saw Killorglin throw everything at it. Charleville responded with tackle after tackle and competing for everything. Under such pressure, players will be on the edge and in the final minutes Charleville where down two players. Eventually, with only a minute left on the clock, Killorglin got a score out wide on the right. The unconverted score drew the final whistle in an absorbing cup tie to finish 12-15.

The final 17 minute period saw all the travelling players who were available to play take the field. Killorglin kept their full strength team all of whom look on the age on the pitch. It is testimony to how much Charleville had put themselves on the line in the cup match that keeping the Killorglin back line at bay was a tall order. But the game finished in good spirits. Even though the referee blew the final whistle and walked off the pitch before the Killorglin kicker had taken his conversion attempt, Charleville insisted he be allowed to take it. The Charleville players were joined on the try line by the Killorglin team and together they ran for the charge down. It’s gratifying that young players have thicker skin than some.