04/05

--------------------------------------PRE SEASON
BALLINCOLLIG ---------------------------06 - 06 --------------------------------KANTURK

Ballincollig and Kanturk shared the spoils in this pre season game. Kanturk did well to hold out as they finshed the game with fourteen men as Richie (Sin Bin) Philpott was sent off after receiving two yellow cards. Bobby Du Wett also received a yellow in this competitive game and shared ten minutes in the bin with his opposite number. Kanturk played good attacking rugby gave the backs a good platform to work with. Adrian Browne was a massive threat in the air and on top of winning his own ball robbed Ballincollig ball as well to dominate the line out. His performance was matched in the backs by Willie Aherne and Brendan Cotter both playing out of position. Aherne at scrum half made countless breaks and should have probably backed himself to go all the way on one occasion together with his brisk passing he had an excellent game. Brendan Cotter at twelve also put in a strong performance.All of Kanturks points came courtsy of the boot of Darach Meade. Kanturk came closest to scoring a try when Padraig Kelleher Kanturks captain interceped a Ballincollig pass at full stretch saw the Ballincollig tryline at his mercy. Without wingers pace he opted to hack ahead and Colm Walsh making his debut for Kanturk was unlucky not to score. All in all it was a good workout for Kanturk apart from Richie Philpott and Bobby Du Wett who took sneaky breaks.

Kanturk : Colm Walsh, Shane Dineen, Dully Buckly, James O'Discoll, Brendan Cotter, Darach Meade, Willie Aherne, Conor O'Sullivan, Padraig Kelleher (C), Con Gogin, Adrian Browne, Bobby Du Wett, Mick Sullivan, Richie Philpott, Ed English.
( Subs: Peter Early for Dully Buckly, James O'Riordan for Bobby Du Wett.)

--------------------------------------PRE SEASON
KANTURK--------------------------------20 - 10 -------------------------OLD CHRISTIANS

Kanturk recorded their first win of the season comfortably. Kanturk were fired up from the start and took the lead through a Darach Meade penalty. Old Christians took the lead through a well taken try in the corner as a result of a string of silly penalties conceded by Kanturk. The try was duely converted to give Old Christians a half time lead of 7-3. Old Christians continued where they left off and their pressure resulted in a penalty and three more points. Kanturk pegged back another tree points again from a Darach Meade penalty to take the score to 10-6 in favour of Christians.Kanturk regained the momentum and scored from the restart when Mick Sullivan scored his first of a brace. Wing forward John Duggan caught the restart and went on a carving run from twenty-two to twenty-two but it looked like he was going to lose position until the ever reliable Mick Sullivan arrived to rip the ball from him, broke through the remaining defence to touch down between the sticks.Darach Meade converted to give Kanturk a 13-10 lead.Kanturk finshed the game off when Mick Sullivan gabbed his second to top off another outstanding performance in the Kanturk jersey. He bullocked his way through the Christians defence with brute strength and determination and Darach Meade finished off proceedings with a difficult conversion to give the final scoreline of 20-10 in Kanturks favour.

Kanturk : Brendan Cotter, Peter Early, James O'Discoll, Stephan Stokes, Willie Aherne, Darach Meade, Pat Fitzpatrick, Conor O'Sullivan, Padraig Kelleher (C), Con Gogin, Bobby Dwyer, Bobby Du Wett, Ed English, Mick Sullivan, John Duggan.
( Subs: Shane Dineen for Willie Aherne )

-------------------------------------PRE SEASON
COBH----------------------------===----40 - 05 --------------------------------KANTURK

Kanturk failed to get into this tough game in difficult conditions. Cobh showed excellent fitness and skill scoring free flowing tries with all players getting involved including their very athletic props.Kanturk were much improved in the second half and their back row stood off rucks and lined up opposite Cobh forwards who were constantly inside and outside their out-half in the first half doing so to great effect. This stopped Cobhs attack to some degree and Kanturk were rewarded with a try when Cobh dropped a pass in their twenty-two and after good unselfish play from James O'Driscoll, Richie Philpott crashed over in the corner.

Kanturk : James O'Discoll, Shane Dineen, Stephan Stokes, John Duggan, Willie Aherne, Darach Meade, Pat Fitzpatrick, Conor O'Sullivan, Padraig Kelleher (C), Con Gogin, Adrian Browne, Bobby Du Wett, Mick Sullivan,Richie Philpott, Brian O'Leary.
( Subs:James O'Riordan for Brian O'Leary.)

-------------------------------------PRE SEASON
MUSKERY--------------------------------19 - 15 --------------------------------KANTURK

Kanturk were beaten late on in this competitive game. Kanturk scored 15 points in all and these came from tries by Richie Philpott and Willie Aherne and the rest from the boot of Darach Meade. But Muskery never gave up and after a few missed tackles the Muskery player broke through from his own twenty-two and carried it all the way under the posts. This was to be the laast play of the game but there were some good performances by Kanturk. Willie Aherne is clearly back to his best and Richie Philpott has coped with the transition from senior to junior quiet well while Darach Meade is planning a break out season. Mick Sullivan also coped well with his move to the centre a position he might have to get used to with the arrival of John Duggan into the back row.

Kanturk : James O'Discoll, Mark Brosnan, John H Bowles, Mick Sullivan, Willie Aherne, Darach Meade(C), Pat Fitzpatrick, Conor O'Sullivan, Eamon H Bowles, Brian O'Leary, Adrian Browne, James O'Riordan, Bobby Du Wett, Richie Philpott, Ed English.

-----------------------MUNSTER JUNIOR CLUBS CHALLENGE CUP ROUND 2
NEWCASTLE WEST------------------------16 - 15--------------------------------KANTURK

Newcastle West caused the big upset of the day, with a 16-15 victory at home to Kanturk. A try from Micheal Rowsome and a John Keating penalty gave the home side an 8-0 half time lead. Carl Hayes added a second try and Keating kicked a penalty. Kanturk replied with tries from Ritchie Philpott and John Duggan and a conversion and penalty from Darragh Meade.

Kanturk started well but conceded a soft try minutes after Newcastle West took the lead through a penalty. Newcastle West's scrum half received a pass back inside after a blind side break and he did well to break the tackle of Kanturk full back Brendan Cotter. Kanturk missed two penalties in the first half and were later to regret these missed opportunities.

From the restart of the second half Newcastle West forwards broke a few tackles and the ball was passed out. Newcastle West had a six to four overlap and there were plenty of holes for the number 12 to choose from. He cut through the centre and after good running the number 7 who had swapped to the wing crashed over for the try. After this Newcastle West were under continous pressure from Kanturk and spent nearly all the second half in their own half. Kanturk were rewarded for all this pressure when Richie Philpott picked at the base of a ruck and forced his way over through pure determination and Darach Meade converted from a tough angle. Kanturk now had the momentum and the score was 13-7. Darach Meade scored another penalty and Kanturk were only three points behind. Newcastle West rallied again and scored another penalty to stretch their lead to six points again. Kanturk again fired on the pressure and scored a try in the corner. It was the classic 8,9, wing move and after Philpott making the initial break Pat Fitzpatrick did well to draw the man and put John Duggan away. Meade failed to kick the difficult conversion and Kanturk were still one point behind. Kanturk kept the pressure on but a determined Newcastle West were not going to give up their lead easy. Kanturk had a penalty from half way to win the game with time up. However it wasn't to be as Meade kicked the penalty wide. There were good performances for Kanturk though by plenty of players especially man of the match Willie Aherne and Richie Philpott who has now scored 3 tries in three games.

Newcastle West : Darren Hayes, Vincent O'Doherty, Eoin Cahill, Adrian Insley, Brendan Flynn, John Keating, Micheal Rowsome, Diarmuid Kirby, George Magner, Barry Madden, Kevin Lyons, Richard Wall, Karl Hayes, Richard Langford, Tony Kerr.
( Subs: Dermot Madigan, Anthony O'Connor, Declan Moloney, Dave McCoy, Sean Leahy, Dermot Nix, Byron Power.)

Kanturk : Brendan Cotter, Shane Dineen, James O'Driscoll, John Duggan, Willie Aherne, Darach Meade, Pat Fitzpatrick, Conor O'Sullivan, Padraig Kelleher(C), Con Gogin, Timmy Brosnan, James O'Riordan, Bobby Dwyer, Richie Philpott, Ed English.
( Subs:Bobby Du Wett for James O'Riordan, Stephen Stokes for Shane Dineen, Brian O'Leary for Con Gogin and Mark Brosnan for James O'Discoll.)

----------------------------------------LEAGUE
KANTURK--------------------------------18 - 17-------------------------------ST. MARYS

Kanturks league campaign got off to a good start in Knocknacolon. Although they failed to get the bonus point and allowed St. Marys to get a soft bonus point at the death it was still a good day at the office. Right now as I write this the boys are probably falling out of the Alley Bar delerious celebrating the win and Richies Birthday the big quarter century (your better than that Richie). Anyway back to the game Kanturk started strong but conceded a soft try scored by Eugene Payne which was converted by Keith Hutchinson but as has happened in previous games Kanturk can play better when they are behind. St. Marys missed a penalty but scored one quickly after through Keith Hutchinson and Kanturk responded with a penalty by Darach Meade to take the score to 10-3 in favour of Marys. Kanturk were handling well and with good ball from the forwards were threatening out wide. Then on St. Marys ball Darach Meade intercepted a pass and brushed off an attempted tackle. He went on a mazy run and offloaded to John Duggan in the tackle who was chasing in support and went over for the try.

St. Marys were leading at the intervil but Kanturk had the hill and the elements in the second half and Marys had a back row in the sin bin. Kanturk piled on the pressure and were rewarded when Mick Sullivan crashed over after good forward play. Kanturks next attack involved some great handling and Willie Aherne broke for the line as he was being cought he passed to John Duggan who picked it off his laces and was stopped just short of the line. However Kanturk got a penalty but astonishingly though the usually reliable Meade missed it. But Kanturk kept at it and Brendan Cotter went on a brilliant sniping run tearing the Marys defence apart. He wasn't able to make the line and passed the ball to James O'Driscoll who had no room or time but somehow managed to crash in and touch it down in the corner (Willie Beamen style). Kanturk then defended superbly until the last play of the game when they went to sleep and allowed Marys to take a quick tap from half way and run it in with a trail of missed tackles. This try was scored and converted by Keith Hutchinson but it was too late for St. Marys and the score finished 18-17. Still a win is a win is a win!!! Man of the match this week went to James O'Driscoll who was strong in the tackle, all over the field in support and scored a great try.

Kanturk : Brendan Cotter, Peter Early, James O'Driscoll, John Duggan, Willie Aherne, Darach Meade, Pat Fitzpatrick, Conor O'Sullivan, Padraig Kelleher(C), Carlton O'Leary, Adrian Browne, Bobby Dwyer, Mick Sullivan, Richie Philpott, Ed English.
( Subs:Bobby Du Wett for Ed English, Stephen Stokes for Willie Aherne, Tadgh Walsh for Carlton O'Leary.)

St. Mary's : Ross O'Neill, Niall Ryan, Jason Hayes, Mark Gibbons, Owen O'Halloran, Neil Whelton, Keith Hutchins, Keith Hehir, Mike Mooney, Matt Ahern, Brian Lyons, John Fanning, Eugene Phayer, Mark O'Neill, John Hickey.
( Subs: Joe Clancy, Ken Duggan, Ger McInerney, Aaron Ryan, Christy McNamara.)

----------------------------------------LEAGUE
SKIBBEREEN------------------------------37 - 05 -------------------------------KANTURK

Kanturks league campaign suffered a set back as they failed to pick up anything from the game while Skibbereen went top of section B after their 37-5 home win over Kanturk. Kanturk have only themselves to blame as there was more missed tackles on the field than there was blades of grass. Skibbereen opened the scoring with a penalty from Tyrone Taipa and quickly followed on with a try from Ivan Jennings which Tyrone Taipa converted. After this Kanturk centre John Duggan went on a run but tried to off-load in the tackle but gave a bad pass and the ball was knocked backwards and Brendan O'Donovan was quickest to respond and hacked ahead and chased to fall on the ball in the corner. After this Kanturk put pressure on Skibbereen but out-half Tyrone Taipa's big boot always cleared the danger with interest. Sean O'Neill scored two tries after the break and O'Donovan got another with Taipa completing the scoring with two conversions and a penalty. Kanturk got a conselation try near the end through Richie Philpott who was denied a second on the line by a referee minutes later. It has to be said also that the referee should take up American football because if he blocks like he did for Skibbereen in the NFL he would make a lot of money. On the switch the Skibbereen players cut back into the Kanturk forwards but ran at the ref until the last minute and then went either side. And man of the match this week went to Mick O'Sullivan who was sick all week still managed to put in a great performance.

Kanturk : Brendan Cotter, Stephen Sinbad, James O'Driscoll, John Duggan, Willie Aherne, Darach Meade, Pat Fitzpatrick, Conor O'Sullivan, Padraig Kelleher(C), Con Gogin, Adrian Browne, Bobby Dwyer, Mick Sullivan, Richie Philpott, Ed English.
( Subs:Brian O'Leary for Con Gogin.)

------------------------------O'NEILL CUP QUARTER FINAL
BALLINCOLLIG ---------------------------20 - 15 --------------------------------KANTURK

Ballincollig caused a surprise in the O'Neill Cup, when they defeated Kanturk 20-15 at Tanner Park. They got off to the worst possible start when Richie Philpott was forced out with a back injury before a whistle had been blown. Kanturks tackling had been a major problem of late but was addressed during their bye week by coach Eddie Costello and there was a marked improvement in this game. Among the big hitters were Carlton O'Leary, Ed English, Bobby O'Dwyer, Tom Aherne and Mick O'Sullivan. However when coach Eddie Costello had fixed one problem his team decided to give him another one. In the first half alone Kanturk gave away 27 penalties. Four of these were converted by Ken O'Connell the remainder he dispatched for big yardage down the touchline. In contrast Kanturk missed two penalty opportunities.

The second half showed a marked improvement by Kanturk which was due in no small part to the compliments they received from coach Eddie Costello at half time. They reduced the twelve point gap when Darach Meade converted a penalty for a high tackle. After catching a high garryowen John Duggan instigated an attack and Darach Meade who had allready made a fine break minutes earlier kicked and chased ahead and won the race to the touchdown to score Kanturks first try. He missed the convertion but Kanturk were now within four points of Ballincollig with the score at 12-08. However shortly after Ballincollig regained the momentum and the second centre scored an opportunist try when he blocked down Darach Meades attempted clearance and ran in for the try. But Kanturk are never a team to give up and scored another try when Padraig Kelleher crashed over under the posts and Meade duely converted to bring Kanturk to within a try from Ballincollig. For the remaining ten minutes Kanturk piled on the pressure but failed to get that try due to a defiant Ballincollig defense. Ballincollig will provide tough opposition for either Fermoy or Kinsale who they will have home field advantage over in the semi-final.

Man of the match this week was a toss up between Ed English, who had one of his best games ever in the green and white of Kanturk all over the pitch and making tackle after tackle, and Carlton O'Leary who had an outstanding performance. In the end coach Eddie Costello said that Carlton had just pipped Ed and awarded him with man of the match.

Ballincollig : Robert Crawford, Owen Crowley, Darren Keohane, John Conway, Keith Lynch, Ken O'Connell, Paul Murtagh, John Desmond, Damien Bradley, Fergal Considine, Shane Hennessy, Colm O'Mahoney, Mick O'Neill, Ian O'Malley, Barry O'Connell.
( Subs: Fergus Lordan, Paul Lordan, B.J. Harvey, Barry Stevenson, Keith Stafford.)

Kanturk : Brendan Cotter, Shane Dineen, John Duggan, Stephen Sinbad, Willie Aherne, Darach Meade, Pat Fitzpatrick, Conor O'Sullivan, Padraig Kelleher (C), Carlton O'Leary, Timmy Brosnan, Bobby O'Dwyer, Tom Aherne, Mick Sullivan, Ed English.
( Subs: Paul Cotter for Shane Dineen, Bobby Du Wett for Timmy Brosnan, John Howard Bowles for Brendan Cotter and Tadgh Walsh for Conor O'Sullivan.)

----------------------------------------LEAGUE
KANTURK--------------------------------03 - 54-------------------------NENAGH ORMOND

Kanturk were up against a far superior team today. Nenagh were a constant threat from all over the field and were often the most dangerous from their own twenty-two. With a lot of Munster Junior representitives they will take a lot of beating. They were eighteen places above Kanturk last season and the difference showed today. Trevor Powell scored three superb tries and is well worth his Munster Junior position. Man of the match for Kanturk today was Dave O'leary who had an excellent game on the wing in both defence and attack and his lineout throwing was spot on. Darach Meade also had a very good game his best of the season ao far and capped it off with an excelently taken drop goal.

Kanturk : James O'Driscoll, Peter Early, Dave O'Leary, John Duggan, Willie Aherne, Darach Meade, Pat Fitzpatrick, Conor O'Sullivan, Padraig Kelleher(C), Carlton O'Leary, Adrian Browne, Bobby Dwyer, Liam Flynn, Mick Sullivan, Ed English.
( Subs:Declan Collins for Peter Early, Alan Shieds for Ed English, Bobby Du Wett for Liam Flynn, Tadgh Walsh for Conor O'Sullivan, Paul Cotter for James O'Driscoll, John Howard Bowles for Alan Shields.)

Nenagh Ormond : Liam Delaney, Fergus Austin, Trever Connolly, Trevor Powell, Robbie White, John Keehan, Michael Fogarty, Donnacha Ryan, Ian Ryan, Graham Hawkins, John Moylan, Denis O'Meara, Paul Hogan, Damien Gavin, Robbie Powell.
( Subs: Paddy Kinehan, Denis Farrell, Dermot Gleeson, Eoin Naughton, Martin Brislane.)

----------------------------------------LEAGUE
KANTURK--------------------------------17 - 13 ------------------------------ABBYFEALE

Kanturk got back to winning ways today with a win against Abbyfeale. Dave O'leary continued his progression at hooker by playing in the position during all senarios filling in for the injured Padraig Kelleher. Kanturk went back to their old ways giving away numerous penalties but Abbeyfeale failed to capatilize kicking only two out of a possible six. Darach Meade kicked a good penalty for Kanturk to keep the score at 3-3. Conor O'Sullivan was sin-binned as a result of Kanturk's continous penalties and Abbeyfeale capitalised scoreing a try to go 10-3 up. Kanturk piled on the pressure and looked likely to score and they did thanks to Dave O'leary's extended stretch just getting over the line. Darach Meade kicked the conversion from a difficult spot to even the score 10-10. Kanturk kept attacking but a string a penalties got Abbeyfeale from their own twenty-two to Kanturk's twenty-two and they kicked another penalty to go in at the break 13-10 up.

Kanturk were on top throughout the second half especially while Abbeyfeale had a player in the bin. Pat Fitzpatrick often critisized over his tackling or lack of it silenced his critics by causing the Abbeyfeale scrum half all kinds of bother and tackling around the park like a possessed grizzly bear. Darach Meade missed a dfficult penalty opportunity but Kanturk were in the lead shortly after when Mick Sullivan charged over the line leaving a trail of defenders in his wake. Meade duely slotted the conversion to give Kanturk a 17-13 lead. This score didn't change even though Peter Early came close to the line a few times. Tom Aherne also made a twenty yard dash for the line looking more like a winger than a wing forward only to be stopped short by a brilliant ankle trip. Man of the match for Kanturk today was Pat Fitzpatrick and won unanimous approval from all the players and supporters alike.

Kanturk : Brendan Cotter , Peter Early, James O'Driscoll, John Duggan, Willie Aherne, Darach Meade(C), Pat Fitzpatrick, Conor O'Sullivan, Dave O'Leary, Carlton O'Leary, Adrian Browne, Bobby Dwyer, Mick Sullivan, Denis O'Neill, Tom Aherne.
( Subs:Mark Brosnan for John Duggan(Blood), Padraig Kelleher for Denis O'Neill(Tactical), Denis O'Neill for Padraig Kelleher(Tactical) Richie Philpott for Adrian Browne(Tactical), Padraig Kelleher for Carlton O'Leary(Blood), Bobby Du Wett for Denis O'Neill.)

----------------------------------------LEAGUE
CLONMEL--------------------------------23 - 13 --------------------------------KANTURK

Kanturk put up a great performance away from home in a game that was always going to be tough. They were very unlucky not to get the bonus point. With outstanding performances from Mick Sullivan and Richie Philpott Kanturk took it to Clonmel from the start. However they found themselves 20-06 down at the break. Whatever Eddie Costello said at half time worked and Kanturk got a try through Richie Philpott and were within seven points of Clonmel up to the last kick of the game. Clonmel took a penalty from the sideline and converted it to snatch the bonus point from the Turks.

Clonmel : Brian Lonergan, David Joyce, Kieran Lyons, Dave Slattery, John Harney, Conor Cooney, Gerry Purcell, Brendan Mullan, Gavin O'Dea, John Stokes, Niall Mackey, Mike Sheehan, Mark Normile, Gus Slattery, John Long.
( Subs: Phil Corby, Nick Power, Brendan Leo, Niall Grogan, Paul McCarthy.)

Kanturk : Brendan Cotter , Peter Early, James O'Driscoll, Stephan Sinbad, Willie Aherne, Darach Meade, Pat Fitzpatrick, Conor O'Sullivan, Padraig Kelleher(C), Carlton O'Leary, Adrian Browne, Bobby Dwyer, Mick Sullivan, Richie Philpott , Tom Aherne.
( Subs:Bob Du Wett for Carlton O'Leary (Injury), John Howard Bowles )

----------------------------------------LEAGUE
CASTLEISLAND---------------------------09 - 03 --------------------------------KANTURK

Kanturk took one of the strongest panels it has fielded all season to Castleisland but it failed to win the points even though they did pick up a bonus point. Even though the panel was strong many were playing with the flu and Richie Philpott had to withdraw before the game with a hamstring injury. Kanturk gave away a soft three points at the beginning when John Duggan was ajudged to have been offside when he intercepted a pass. Conditions were very difficult with a strong wind and a very soft underfooting and prevented either team from playing rugby. The home team however took advantage of their home advantage and the big boot of the outhalf both put pressure on Kanturk and releaved Castleisland. Kanturk were very lucky not to have conceded a penalty try when Brendan Cotter took a player chasing a good kick ahead completely out of it. Cotter also managed to avoid a sin binning much to the displeasure of the home crowd. All in all it was a big let off for the visitors made even bigger by the fact that the Castleisland outhalf missed the resultant penalty. However he made up for it again moments later by kicking another one and scoring it giving Castleisland a 6-0 lead. The Castleisland No. 6 then intercepted a pass and looked to be through for an easy five points and indeed on a better pitch he would probably have made it but Brian O'Leary covered back excelently and halted him with a ankle tap Peter Stringer would be proud of.

The second half was much the same as the first but Kanturk failed to copy Castleislands game plan and didn't put the ball in their twenty-two. Kanturk did pile on the pressure though and were rewarded with a penalty and three points courtasy of the booth of Darach Meade. Kanturk were also unlucky not to have scored when they bombarded the Castleisland line and got over it only for the ball to be deemed held up. Castleisland made only one treck into Kanturks twenty-two in the second half but it did deliver three points from a penalty kicked by their out half to give them a 9-3 lead which would remain the score. Brian O'Leary got man of the match for the away team this week.

Castleisland : T.J. Casey, Dan Connor, Bill Walsh, Humphrey Shanahan, Shane Flynn, Liam Dooley, Kevin Lyons, Kieran Shanahan, Eoin Sullivan, Garvan Walsh, Bill Horgan, Mosssie Casey, Eddie Horgan, Denis Casey, Padraig Shanahan.
( Subs: John Riordan, Diarmuid Riordan, Mike Sweeney, Jerry Sullivan, Des Collins.)

Kanturk : Brendan Cotter , Stephen Sinbad, James O'Driscoll, Darach Meade(C), John Duggan, Willie Aherne, Pat Fitzpatrick, Conor O'Sullivan, Dave O'Leary, Carlton O'Leary, Adrian Browne, Bobby Dwyer, Mick Sullivan, Richie Philpott , Tom Aherne.
{Subs:Ed English for Tom Aherne (Injury), Denis Murphy for Willie Aherne (Injury), Padraig Kelleher for Conor O'Sullivan (Tactical), Paul Cotter for Pat Fitzpatrick (Tactical)}

------------------------------MUNSTER JUNIOR CUP ROUND 1
SKIBBEREEN------------------------------29 - 06--------------------------------KANTURK

Kanturk took another fall in the MJC  to league rivals Skibereen 29-6. With a reasonably well prepared team although lacking in dept in the backs Kanturk had high hopes. A mix up in the jerseys lead to a selection of Credit Union set from 1995,Tim Cremin set 1997 and U18 jerseys been sported for the big day. Also the traditional tea and sandwiches after a long drive was had after a delay in waiting outside the wrong pub for 30 minutes.

Playing with a strong breeze in the first half, Kanturk got good position and Paul Cotter, starting his first game this season took a drop-goal to go 3-0 up, but sideline critic and current chairman PJ Cremin stated that 7 pts could have been on offer. Kanturk didn't take advantage of the weather conditions and failed to get proper territory which resulted in Skib getting 2 pushover trys. Kanturk still not exerting the gameplan resulted in Skib's Tyrone Taipa breaking from the 40 when there was a lapse in the defence and scoring under the post with a try celebration to scorn the visitors. After a missed effort already, Meade kicked a penalty to leave it 17-6 with Kanturk disappointed with not having more scores.
Kanturk's tackling was ferocious with Mick Sullivan in particular, Richie Philpott, Stephen Stokes and Timmy Brosnan. In the second half the north Cork men played some enterprising rugby with Con Goggin making a 35 metre breakaway only to be held up short and Brendan Cotter(who had a 4 hr journey 4m Galway after a rosmantic week-end away) defending the line with all his experience, there was positives to take from the expedition. Kanturks lineout worked well and in Ned English is improving as the season progresses, but Skib pulled away with some facile trys. Fast Eddie in the post match analysis spoke of not utilising the wind but commanded the tackling and good rugby played, in particular Richie Philpott whose presence on the field was very evident.

With Mick Sull calf, Darach Meade broken Collar bone, Lopez sore neck (from turning his head too fast when Tyrone Taipa whizzing past), Kanturk are in the "s**t" for the arrival of unbeaten youghal in the final league match the coming Sunday. Kanturk town was very quiet sun night with the local rugby team walking wounded and few soldiers carrying the social flag into the watering holes.
By Paul Cotter

Kanturk : Brendan Cotter , Pat Fitzpatrick, James O'Driscoll, Stephen Sinbad, Willie Aherne, Darach Meade, Paul Cotter, Con Gogin, Padraig Kelleher (c), Carlton O'Leary, Timmy Brosnan, Ned English, Mick Sullivan, Richie Philpott , Alan Shields.
{Subs:Bob DuWett for Timmy Brosnan(tactical), Conor O'Sullivan for Mick Sullivan(injury), John Howard Bowles for Alan Shields(tactical), Dan Cashman for Darach Meade(injury)}

---------------------------------------LEAGUE
KANTURK--------------------------------07 - 42 --------------------------------YOUGHAL

Kanturk had a tough task today today with a home tie to the only team that remained unbeaten in division one. They were without the influential Mick Sullivan who was on International duty in Italy. Outhalf and playmaker Darach Meade was also missing from an injury he sustained in the Munster Junior Cup last week. Youghal started strong but could not break Kanturk down even though they had the hill and the elements in the. first half and they had to settle for two penalties. Kanturk defended excellently with Pat Fitzpatrick playing at outhalf led by example putting in some big hits. Again Youghal could not crack the Kanturk the defence and were awarded a controversial penalty try which they converted. But Kanturk's efforts were rewarded moments later when after some great forward play and an outstanding individual effort by Willie Ahern he crashed over under the posts. Stephan Stokes converted easily and the sides went in at half time with Youghal leading 13-7.

Things fell apart for Kanturk in the second half but there were continued good performances by Pat Fitzpatrick, Brendan Cotter, Richie Philpott, Edward English and Willie Ahern. Richie Philpott was sin binned along with a Youghal player. Man of the match this week would have to be shared between Pat Fitzpatrick, Edward English and Willie Ahern.

Kanturk : Brendan Cotter , John Duggan, Mark Fitzpatrick, Stephen Stokes, Willie Aherne, Pat Fitzpatrick, Paul Cotter, Padraig Kelleher (C), Dave O'Leary, Con Goggin, Ned English, Tim Brosnan, Dan Cashman, Richie Philpott , Alan Shields.
( Subs: Carlton O'Leary for Dave O'Leary(Injury) Conor O'Sullivan for Alan Shields(Tactical), John Howard Bowles for Tim Brosnan(Tactical), James Lucey for Dan Cashman and Conor Walsh for Padraig Kelleher)

Youghal : Sean Barry, Alan Fox, Robbie Doyle, Brendan Murray, Simon Prim, Terry Dillon, Dave Fox, Roy McArdle, Ken Forrest, Jason Browne, Eoghan Power, Colin Mulcahy, Ian Broderick, Alan Browne, Fergal Goggin.
( Subs: Eoghan Fox, Richard Laffan, Chris Daly, Barry Kavanagh, Sean Brosnan.)

---------------------------MUNSTER JUNIOR PLATE ROUND 1
WATERPARK------------------------------13 - 7 ---------------------------------KANTURK

Kanturk travelled the long journey to Waterpark without Richie Philpott, Willie Ahern, Darach Meade, Bobby O'Dwyer, Stephan Stokes and Tom Ahern. Many teams would not be able to compete with a senior seconds side without six starting players but this Kanturk team does not give in. They will be disappointed not to have won even without these players and started well. The talented back line of Waterpark, which included John Lillis and Craig Doyle, failed to break through the Kanturk defense and their equally rated pack struggled against Kanturk's smaller and less experienced pack with Edward English disrupting their line-out and winning their ball. Both teams then had players binned and Conor O'Sullivan clocked up his second of the year for Kanturk. Waterpark were awarded a try only for the referee to change his decision when he realised Timmy Brosnan actually had the ball. Waterpark did cross the line when their forwards drove over but failed to kick the conversion.

The second half should have been clear sailing for Waterpark playing with a gale force wind buy they only outscored the turks by a point 8-7. John Lillis kicked a penalty and scored a try for the home team and Timmy Brosnan crashed over the line for Kanturk with Paul Cotter drop goaling the conversion. Kanturk had Mick Sullivan sin binned for fisty cuffs, his first of the season. Kanturks best chance of getting the winning score came from a great run by Brendan Cotter which was stopped by a brilliant last gasp cover tackle by Tom Carroll. Man of the match would have been a toss up between Timmy Brosnan and Tommy Carroll.

Kanturk Team: Brendan Cotter , James O'Driscoll, Mark Brosnan, Peter Early, John Duggan, Pat Fitzpatrick, Paul Cotter, Padraig Kelleher (C), Dave O'Leary, Con Goggin, Ned English, Tim Brosnan, Dan Cashman, Mick Sullivan, John Howard Bowles.

----------------------------------COUNTY CUP ROUND 1
KANTURK--------------------------------05 - 20---------------------------------YOUGHAL

Kanturk had a tough task today with a home tie against a team who beat them 42-07 in the league all ready this season. Kanturk got off to the worst possible start when Youghal scored within the first five minutes. It was a combination of missed tackles by Kanturk and a fine individual run by the Youghal scrum half. It was converted to give Youghal an early 7-0 lead. Kanturk played well from then on and were rewarded with a try in the corner by Brendan Cotter, his first of the season. From the start of this match tempers flared and this took from the quality of rugby being played. The referee did well to keep things cool and had good control of the game.

In the second half Kanturk defended well with some excellent tackling from Mick Sullivan, Bob De Wet and Ned English. The pack also gave the backs good ball which Paul Cotter thrived on and allowed John Duggan to make some good breaks. Richie “Sin Bin” Philpott picked up his first sin binning of the season (not counting the two and a red in pre-season) earning him a ten minute rest on the sidelines. Although Kanturk battled strongly they were beaten 20-07 in the end.

Kanturk : Brendan Cotter, Tony McShane, Stephen Lynch, John Duggan, Willie Aherne, Darach Meade, Paul Cotter, Padraig Kelleher (C), Conor Walsh, Con Goggin, Ned English, Bob De Wett, Dan Cashman, Richie Philpott, Mick Sullivan.
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