Kilkenny under-18s claim big victory in a festival of rugby at Foulkstown

With Christmas and New Year put to bed, it was time to blow off the cobwebs.

And so, on Saturday, a combination of Kilkenny’s under-14, under-15, under-16 and under-18 girls and boys teams kicked off the second half of their seasons in a festival of rugby in Foulkstown.

With six matches played, pitch space was at a premium on the Waterford Road.

Regardless of the heavy traffic the pitches remained in excellent condition throughout with groundsman Jimmy McGarry keeping a watchful eye.

The under-18 boys started the second half of their campaign with a 38-28 victory over a determined Enniscorthy.

Although the rain that threatened to fall never materialised conditions remained damp and soft underfoot with a relentless breeze blowing over the clubhouse towards the city.

Considering the conditions both sets of players deserve great credit for making this an enthralling and entertaining match.

It could easily have become a game of two halves, but both teams stuck to their principles and kept the ball in hand as often as the conditions would allow.

Kilkenny scored six tries, one each from Conor Cogan, Caleb Hogan Eyre and Ruaidhrí Galwey. Captain Joe Murray scored the remaining three tries with Daniel Ring adding eight points from place kicks.

This game was never going to be an open expansive game of free-flowing rugby, with cries of ‘knock on, scrum’ repeatedly being heard.

Kilkenny competed well in the scrum, losing one or two, but winning the important ones.

Lineouts were a challenge for both teams and despite losing a few due to rustiness, Kilkenny finished the contest on top.
The first half finished all square at 22 points apiece.

Playing with the wind in the second half, Kilkenny managed the conditions better.

Their superior strength in the forwards and the availability of a strong substitutes bench finally broke the resistance of a dogged Enniscorthy.

A 10-point winning margin was a fair result but a word of caution going forward - Enniscorthy looked to have a strong back line which, under different conditions, may have had a bigger say in proceedings.

Kilkenny have had a testing start to the season.

A combination of numerous short term injuries and unfortunate long term injuries to Barry Dunne, William Nugent and Dan Hughes has stretched the squad’s depth.

Results have been inconsistent, meaning Kilkenny will play the second half of the season in the First Division and not the Premier section that they are accustomed to. However, adversity often offers opportunity.

Kilkenny are well capable and should be very competitive for the rest of the season.

Another pleasing aspect from Saturday was the performance of Ruaidhrí Galway.

Ruaidhrí has been injured for most of the season and has been missed. Apart from his try he brought steel and determination to the back line.

Players at this age level face a difficult juggling act. School work, part-time work and other sports all take their toll.

Rugby, in many ways, mirrors life - the more you put in the more you get out of it. If Kilkenny want to experience more highs than lows going forward then attendance at training is a must.

Games are won and lost on the training pitches with the 80 minutes on Saturday just clarifying the score.