Followers of Kilkenny rugby have witnessed some fine battles in Foulkstown in their day; however, this Provincial Towns Cup, First Round tie against Division 1A side, Skerries, on Sunday, was probably the finest display of sheer courage witnessed in a long time.
Kilkenny Firsts dominated the game from the kick-off. Skerries were denied entry into the Kilkenny half for the entire first-half. Kilkenny’s first scoring opportunity came in the 9th minute when Skerries were penalised for going in off their feet. Barry Daly had to contend with a strong cross-wind; however, his superb attempt unfortunately struck the upright and went wide.
Skerries were in disarray as time and again the home-team harassed and threatened their try-line. The Kilkenny forwards were simply magnificent and did not allow their opponents to regroup and take control. However the first-half still ended scoreless.
Kilkenny started the second half fired up and hit Skerries with everything they had. Skerries, who by now had taken a massive thumping from the Kilkenny forwards, were quickly losing their fighting spirit until the 45th minute, a cruel twist of faith occurred. Skerries while in possession kicked the ball behind the Kilkenny defensive line. The wind took hold of the ball and carried it up the pitch. With the Kilkenny back-line covering back, the ball looked as if it would go out over the dead-ball line. Just before the dead-ball line, the ball turned on its axis and came back onto the pitch and stopped dead. The Skerries centre was first to the ball and he touched down to score the opening try of the game. To add insult to injury, the conversion hit the cross-bar and limped over the bar. Kilkenny were not upset by this turn of events and quickly dusted themselves off and repeatedly attacked. Kilkenny’s best scoring opportunity came when Joey Manuel ran straight down the middle of the pitch breaking through the Skerries defence. It looked as if he was over but a fine tackle ended the run and Skerries cleared their lines.
A newly invigorated Skerries tried to take control of the game but Kilkenny were having none of it. Despite adding a further three points to their tally, Skerries were on the back foot for the rest of the game. In the 67th minute Kilkenny’s efforts were finally rewarded when following a superb passage of play by the forwards, Brian Hanrahan surged over the line to narrow the deficit. Hogan was unfortunate with the conversion attempt as he watched it drift across the face of the goal and wide.
Kilkenny now summed up every ounce of energy they had and battered the Skerries defence but they held out defiantly. Kilkenny were extremely unlucky not to cross the try line on two more occasions but finally time ran out for the home side and the game ended 5 – 10 for the visitors.
Both Kilkenny Firsts and Seconds are at home to Roscrea in the Leinster League this Saturday. The Seconds kick off at 1.30pm while the Firsts game gets underway at 3pm.
