Kanturk: Brendan Kelleher, Conor O'Sullivan, Bryan O'Neill, Ed English, Barra Buckley, Michael O'Sullivan, Johnny O'Sullivan, Dan McCabe (capt), Michael Twohig, Paul Cotter, Daithi Fitzpatrick, Philippe Trippier, Garry Pigott, John Duggan & Peter Earlie.

Subs: Matt Daly, Kealan Buckley, Tadgh McSweeney & Conor Breen all played.

Kanturk secure place in 5th round of Munster junior challenge cup
Kanturk welcomed St. Mary’s of Limerick to Knocknacolan last Sunday in the fourth round of the Munster Junior Challenge Cup. With an earlier kick off of one o’clock to allow players watch Irelands opening Six Nations match against Wales, there was a degree of anticipation in the air before the game as both teams were anxious to progress further in the competition and spectators were looking forward to an afternoon of exciting rugby both local and international.

St Mary’s kicked off down the hill in the first half with the saints outhalf Sean Lyons testing the turks forwards with a deep ranging ball from the off. Kanturk soon found that the saints forwards reputation of being strong and disciplined to be true, and their position in second of the J2 league justified. But our boys in green like nothing more than a challenge and quickly took control of the game with good ball secured by the pack and a very fast hands by the backs to take advantage of our pacey players. Kanturk played to this game plan throughout the first half against the Saints, Hill and wind alike.

Turks kicker for the day Peter Earlie found his range to touch and the turks lineout worked well to put the backs on the front foot with attacking ball. Four first half tries by John Duggan, Paul Cotter, Gary Pigott and Peter Earlie, two of which were converted by Earlie brought the half time tally to 24-0.

Kanturk management made tactical decisions in bringing on Matt Daly for Bryan O’Neill and Kealan Buckley for Philippe Trippier.

The second half was a completely different affair with the Saints coming out of the starting blocks strong (due to some “gentle encouragement” from management in their half time talk). The saints applied pressure for the next twenty minutes and made their way in to the turks territory time and again- resulting in two tries for the Saints, with one being converted. Conor Breen and Tadgh McSweeney were now introduced into the game for Michael O’Sullivan and Conor O’Sullivan. Kanturk now had to dig in to halt the Saints resurgence and the final twenty minutes of the game were where the turks locked out the opposition using their excellent defensive play. A penalty in the dying minutes of the game by Earlie showed the wind must have switched direction, when it seemed to go backwards and didnt find touch, but Kanturk secured the ball and took the game to the Saints. Kanturk finished with one more try by Michael Twohig, which made the final scoreline 29-12 to the home side.

Special mention has to go to Brendan Kelleher of the pack for his outstanding performance. From the backs it is difficult to pick a single player as all showed what a strong quick backline can do with all Kanturks points coming from the back line.
By Barra Buckley

Kanturk: Brendan Kelleher, Bryan O'Neill, Ed English, Barra Buckley, Michael O'Sullivan, Johnny O'Sullivan, Dan McCabe (capt), Paul Cotter, Darach Meade, Daithi Fitzpatrick, Philippe Trippier, Garry Pigott, John Duggan & Peter Earlie.

Subs: Conor O'Sullivan & Michael Twohig both played.

And then there were two
Kanturk maintained the pressure on Richmond in the Division 1 Munster Junior league after grinding out a 9 points to 7 victory over Skibbereen in this all Cork encounter. Both teams entered the match in joint 2nd position so the stakes were high. Coming off a strong performance in Waterford last week and playing in fortress Knocknacolan there was huge expectation from the Kanturk faithful. The U19's had pulled off a magnificent victory over Limerick giants Young Munster earlier in the day so the mantle lay with the Junior team to produce a similar result.

The game started in frantic fashion with both sides battling vigorously to gain supremacy. Several deep forays into the Skibbereen 22 by Philippe Trippier and Gary Piggott almost yielded scores for Kanturk but the vital try scoring pass or grubber kick would not go to hand allowing Skibbereen to clear their lines. The Kanturk lineout was functioning like a well oiled machine whilst the Kanturk scrum spearheaded by Bryan "Nailor" O'Neill did not yield an inch. Paul Cotter and Darach Meade at 9 and 10 respectively were pulling the strings, quickening the play which suited the mobile Kanturk pack. However despite having the majority of possession in the opening 20 minutes Kanturk could not breach the "Skib" defence and as the half progressed the away team grew in confidence. Several big carries from their loose forwards allowed quick ruck ball which greatly stretched the Kanturk rear guard and only massive hits from the impressive Dan McCabe and man of the match Michael O'Sullivan kept the red and white tide at bay. Eventually the resolute Kanturk defence creaked though and a few missed tackles allowed the rampaging Skibbereen loose head prob to bundle over the Kanturk whitewash with the resulting conversion being scored. Try as they may, Kanturk could not garner an effective response and "Skib" continued to threaten leaving the score 7-0 at half time.

The second half was a dogged tight affair with neither side making any real head way. Playing up the hill but backed by a strong wind, Kanturk tried to impose themselves by playing rugby in the oppositions half and moving the ball quickly but this Skib side continued to justify their league position by thwarting any momentum Kanturk tried to create. With 25 minutes to go the "Turks" management decided to mix things up and introduced Michael "Twigs" Twohig and Conor Sullivan. With a loss certainly ruling out any title hopes, Kanturk begun to realise that a response had to be mounted and fast. An enticing garryowen kicked by Paul Cotter and an effective chase from Twohig resulted in a penalty which Munster's leading junior points scorer Darach Meade duly dispatched. This score instilled some believe into Kanturk and they begun to take the game to Skib. Strong carries from the Kanturk back row put their opponents on the back foot resulting in another penalty for offside. Meade carried out the necessaries and only 1 point separated the teams. Kanturk were now playing with a fierce intensity and aggression matched with controlled discipline. Another penalty was awarded against the Skib number 9 for offside at scrum time (Nailor insisted the penalty was front row related.. Hmmm) and Meade being in a prolific scoring mood split the posts with a great pressure kick. Now leading for the first time in the game, Kanturk had to withstand a late rally from Skib but resolute defending kept the West Cork side at bay for the final minutes. A failed penalty kick in the last action of the game left the score at 9-7 ensuring victory for the North Cork Club. Knocknacolan erupted into scenes of jubilation and an historic victory was topped off by a great night at the annual club quiz.

Kanturk now lay in second place and with only 2 games left in the league its still all to play for. On a separate note, well done to the quiz winners Nek Minnit and also for the outstanding "humming" performance by Johnny "All the Single Ladies" O'Sulllivan.
By Michael Twohig

Kanturk: Karlton O'Leary, Pete McCabe, Brendan Kelleher, Bryan O'Neill, Richie Philpott, Michael O'Sullivan, Johnny O'Sullivan, Dan McCabe (capt), Paul Cotter, Darach Meade, John Duggan, Philippe Trippier, Garry Pigott, Kealan Buckley & Peter Earlie.

Subs: Ed English, Barra Buckley, Daithi Fitzpatrick, Conor O'Sullivan & Damien McNamara all played.

Kanturk Back to 2nd
Kanturk reclaimed second spot in the Munster Junior Division 1 league on Sunday with a well deserved away win over a talented Waterpark side. After a disappointing previous outing against Crosshaven, the Turks handed starting berths to Brendan Kelleher (prop), Pete McCabe (hooker), Keelan Buckley (wing) and the fit again Philippe Trippier (centre). The game started at a frantic pace and it was clear from the off that the long journey to Waterford was not going to be an issue for the travelling side who took an early 3-0 lead through the boot of fly half Darach Meade. Kanturk were then hit with a double blow, losing the vastly experienced duo of Richie Philpott and Karlton O’Leary through injury within a five minute spell. The youthful Waterpark side took advantage of perfect underfoot conditions to open up an 8-3 lead with a well struck penalty followed up by a nice try by one of their many impressive backs.

Kanturk needed a quick response and got it. Brian ‘Nailor’ O’Neill and Mick Sullivan started to impose themselves on the game with some monster hits and powerful ball carries. A penalty to Kanturk, decision time 3 points or 7? With the lineout functioning like a well oiled machine all day, Meade kicked to the corner and the resulting lineout saw Captain Dan McCabe bundle his way over from the back of a driving maul. Meade then swung over a peach of a conversion from the left touchline to give the Turks a 10-8 lead going in to the break.

The second half continued much as the first half had finished, high paced full of running a good spectacle for the large crowd of travelling support. The Kanturk team were made feel especially at home by fourth official Ger Cotter patrolling the far touchline. His son Paul, marshalling his pack of troops like a little general helped his team settle in to a good rhythm which saw the away side control possession of the ball. Good territorial kicking from Meade saw Kanturk advance in to Waterpark's 22 and Cotter did not have to be asked twice when given a sniff of the try line he dived over to put the Turks 15-8 ahead. Meade made it 3 out of 3 with the conversion, 17-8.

Waterpark upped their game and for the next ten minutes put some good phases together, getting all the way to the Kanturk try line and exerting a lot of pressure. Try as they might, however, they could not breach Kanturk’s resolute defence. Both backs and forwards put their bodies on the line and in the end great defensive work from O’Neill and Trippier saw Kanturk turn over the ball and clear the lines. With both sides pushing hard, tempers flared on occasion and a disagreement in midfield between a Waterpark centre and Gary ‘Pacquiao’ Piggott earned both players ten minutes in the bin. O’Neill then capped off a good days work when he took a ball 5 metres out from the Waterpark line and, after some dainty footwork, pivoted and barged his way over for his sides third try of the day. 4 out of 4 from Meade saw him finish the day on 100% success rate and Kanturk finish on a scoreline of 24-08.

No doubt there will be a few sore bodies but second in the league and all to play for again. Roll on the green machine, Skib at home next week. Last but by no means least, after a fine game on the wing, John Duggan (32) answered all of his critics and they can’t now begrudge him his email address speedywinger@hotmail.com !
By Dan McCabe

Kanturk: Karlton O'Leary, Conor O'Sullivan, Bryan O'Neill, Ed English, Richie Philpott, Michael O'Sullivan, Johnny O'Sullivan, Dan McCabe, Paul Cotter, Darach Meade, Daithi Fitzpatrick, John Duggan, Garry Pigott, Michael Twohig & Peter Earlie.

Subs: Pete McCabe, Philippe Trippier, Damien McNamara, Kealan Buckley & Brendan Kelleher all played.

Kanturk Drop to Third
Second placed Kanturk went down to Crosshaven 23-14 at Myrtleville Cross. The winners had tries from Daryl Foley, Darren O’Keeffe and John Geary. Foley added a conversion and a penalty and Kieran Doran also kicked a penalty. Kanturk replied with tries from Johnny O'Sullivan & Philippe Trippier & Darach Meade converted both.