Tralee Rugby Club

A disappointed U13 squad hoped to emulate the previous 2 years and bring the club back the double honours again this year but were thwarted by the visiting Killarney side which they had previously beaten in the league.

The visitors were well prepared for this game and given the closeness of the previous encounters both sides knew that this was a one off game that could have been won by either side. From the off this was a close and competitive encounter with neither side giving any leeway to their opponents. Killarney were the first to score and with a conversion were heading to the break with a 0-7 lead. This changed just on the break with a try scored by Tralee which left the sides 5-7, the barest minimum of difference.

The second half was just as intense as the first with both sides going at it hammer & thongs. With a further try for each side in the third quarter it left the supporters with their hearts in their mouths for the final 15 minutes. “This was the best game of Rugby I have seen in this club in many years!” commented Richie White, Tralee RFC Youth Officer. “Both sides gave it their all and with the home side bearing down on Killarney for the last quarter the visiting defence was superb. Having followed these teams for the season this is a result that is well deserved for both sides. With one winning the League & the other winning the Cup.”

Chairman of West Munster Rugby, Dave McNamara, was on hand on the day to present both squads with their respective trophies and commented “Rugby in west Munster is in a particularly good place. When you can come to a club and get the type of performance from the sides at U13 level that was seen today then you know the clubs are working well in promoting the game to their players. As fine a performance as that was on the pitch I must also comment on the exemplary discipline on the day from all participants.”