Cobh Pirates Weekly Round Up W/E 6th December

With all of Saturday’s fixtures bearing the brunt of storm Desmond, the Paddocks did not see any games or training go ahead for the juveniles.
The Junior 1s hosted Dungarvan RFC on Sunday. After last week’s slip up away to Kinsale this was a game where they targeted a bonus point win.

After the minutes silence, a sign of respect to the late Dennis Field, a much loved and respected club man Pirates began the game with intent putting pressure on Dungarvan from the start with a brand of running rugby. For the first 15 or so minutes Pirates threatened to cross the line, with a few handling errors keeping them out.

It was an outside break by Richard OSullivan that gained ground, fed by Jack Hickey who was on the receiving end of the ball to crash over for the first try after 17 minutes. Pirates did not let up and a grubber kick through, collected by Eoin McSweeney who carried before offloading to the supporting hooker Dave McCauliff to cross for the second try of the game. Alan Langford had better luck with this conversion to bring it to 12-0. The forwards began to move the ball around the park with the play traversing the paddock before second row JJ Frahill offloaded to the oncoming David Lambe to barge over on the 30 minute mark. The fourth tru came after Captain and outhalf Ruairi Geary chipped through for Alan Langford to collect. After what appeared to be a phantom tackle Alan regained his momentum to cross over. Half time had the score Pirates 24-0 Dungarvan.

Coach Brendan Ronan partially emptied the bench at half time bringing on fresh legs, and it was the newly introduced Kevin Allen that scored his first of 3 tries just after the restart, breaking through numerous tackles to barge over. Eoin McSweeney was next to touch down after a sweeping move across the backline. A quick tap from the newly introduced Martin Clifford allowed Brendan Mulcahy to ground the ball for Pirates next score in the corner. The ever bust Glen OSullivan got his name on the score sheet minutes later after he made a great solo break up the Newtown wing to score in the corner. With the scrum dominating Kevin Allen was quick to react inside the Dungarvan 22, picking the ball from the feet of the opposing number 8 after a Dungarvan fumble, to get his second try. Not finished yet, from the restart Allen collected the ball from broken play of a Dungarvan ruck inside the Pirates half to outpace the opposing backline to get his 3rd. Shane Cullimore looped of his wing to take the ball from fellow winger Richard OSullivan, after he made a break in very little pace, allowing Shane to touch down in the corner. Martin Clifford had the ball in hand again soon after , after a barraging break from David Lamb, to score under the posts, Ian Jones added his second conversion having taken over the kicking duties. Aaron OFlynn took advantage of a Dungarvan defensive scrum error, to collect and go over in the corner, and literally straight from the restart Richard OSullivan jumped highest to gather before letting loose Shane Cullimore for the last try of the game.

Pirates 82-0 Dungarvan. Pirates are currently in joint 2nd place in the league, with a game in hand over Abbeyfeale who they will welcome to the Pirates in a home game in the New year.

The Junior 2s made the journey to Mitchelstown where they took on the much fancied home side who are comfortably on top of the section in the league. The very young Pirates side came out on the wrong sideof a 43-0 scoreline. However this young side are improving weekly, and look forward to the Mick Barry section of the Junior 2 league.