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Cobh Pirates Weekly Round-up W/E 24th January

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pirates4001121A quite weekend of fixtures this weekend, due to the water logged pitches only able to take a minimum amount of play on them.

U13 Friendly;
Kinsale v. Cobh Pirates – Game Cancelled Due to Conditions

Munster Clubs U14;
Cobh Pirates (20) v. Ballincollig (7)

Munster Clubs U16 Cup;
No Fixture

Munster Clubs U18 Plate (Game Played on Sun. 24-Jan);
Clonmel (13) v. Cobh Pirates (5)

Munster Youth Ladies Cup U15;
St. Mary’s (39) v. South Cork (12)

Munster Youth Ladies Cup U18
St. Mary’s (55) v. South Cork (5)

Saturday saw Cobh Pirates RFC host Ballincollig in another South Munster A League game. The game was played in tough conditions with driving rain and wind the order of the day.

The Pirates kicked off throughout half Cian Ahern, playing with the wind and attacking the road end. The home team started well dominating territory and possession. With conditions making the ball handling very challenging it was a credit to both sides that so much open play was seen by both sets of supporters. The Pirates forward pack was to the fore throughout the first half with Oisin O Doherty, Pj Cronin and Chris Mc Donnell playing great stuff; this play was rewarded when Jack Gilmartin crashed over for the opening score. 5 nil to Pirates. The home side then began to build in confidence and despite the weather were only a pass away on a number of occasions to adding to their lead. During this period Luke O Callaghan, Charlie Kelleher, Phillipe O Sullivan and Josh Banim began to get more space and were causing problems for the brave Ballincollig defence. However, against the run of play it was Ballincollig who scored next. From a scrum inside their own 22 the full back sped away from the covering defence to touch down under the posts for a try which was converted. Half time whistle blew soon after, 7 5 to Balincollig.

Pirates regrouped at halftime knowing that they had a battle on their hands ahead in the second half, playing against the worsening conditions and strong opposition. The young Pirates were not found wanting…..

The home team began the second half tentatively as they searched for a way to best play the conditions…it did not take them long. The second half saw the game dominated by strong ball carrying and good decision making by Pirates. Jack O Sullivan, Edwin Edogbo and Tadgh O Connell did the bulk of the ball carrying and were constantly offering support to the half backs. The intelligent play of Padraig Allen, Cian Ahern, Kieran Devlin Buckley and Eoghan Kidney kept the Cobh team on the attack by retaining possession in the Ballincollig half. This exciting and brave second half display was rewarded by the outstanding John Breen touching down for a crucial score, 10 7 to Pirates. This was soon followed by a great driving score in the corner by the hard working Jack O Sullivan. Pirates were now playing with total confidence and were driven on by the fresh legs of Robbie O Driscoll and Callum Sowter Cullinane who were both involved in the final score as skipper PJ Cronin touched down to make the final score 20 7.

This was an excellent game of rugby. The honesty of attitude, commitment and skills of all the players made the conditions irrelevant and it was enjoyed by all who braved the weather. Local ref Joe Geary played a great part in the contest as both sides focused on the game and he looked after everything else. It was played in great spirit.

Next up local rivals Midleton away in a weeks time.

Pirates U14 squad; Josh Banim, Luke O Callaghan, Padraig Allen, Phillipe O Sullivan, Charlie Kelleher, Cian Ahern, John Breen, jack Gilmartin, Chris Mc Donnell, Darragh Mc Carthy, PJ Cronin, Eoghan Kidney, Oisin O Doherty, Jack O Sullivan, Callum Sowter Cullinane, Tadgh O Connell, Edwin Edogbo, Robbie O Driscoll, Ceilim Cole, David Meade, Kieran Devlin Buckley

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