Coolmine 18 Cill Dara 15
This was a see saw affair with Coolmine the better team overall yet not quite finding it easy to convert the superior playmaking into scores on the board.
Cill Dara were keen from the start to cause an upset and came at league newcomers Coolmine with everything, taking the lead after some early pressure and good phase work while Coolmine adjusted to the tempo.
But Coolmine soon began to use their stronger ball carriers and superiority in the lineout and scrum to good effect and after an intense exchange of play from both teams and good work from around the breakdown Mark Whitehead crossed for Coolmine's first try of the new season league campaign. Conor Hayes converted to level the teams.
A quick long ball from the re-start which Coolmine could have cleared quicker put them under pressure and the resulting play allowed Cill Dara to cross for their second try. A missed conversion made it 7-12 to the Curragh club.
Coming out in the second half it was clear that Coolmine needed capitalise on their overall control of the game and get some points on the board. Some great line breaks by Ruairi Farrell and good phase-work by the pack allowed the team to keep Cill Dara hemmed in their own 22 for the first ten minutes of the second half.
The pressure was duly rewarded with Russ Shortt crossing for a great team try to make it 12 - 12 as we missed the conversion.
Coolmine went in search of the killer score to put distance between them and this tough outfit and should have had at least two clear cut chances that went askew on us on their line. A knock on from us at a crucial moment gifted them a reprieve.
Then a break out kick and chase brought play back into our own 22 and after they were awarded a scrum Coolmine fought hard to get the turnover and won a penalty with some staunch defending.
Another break by Farrell brought play back into their 22 only for a knock on to let them off again and give them a scrum.
But Coolmine won the ball against the head as Cill Dara showed signs of wear and tear. Conor Hayes stepped up and duly slotted over the penalty to make it 15-12 and the first time Coolmine had taken the lead, half way through the second half.
From the restart Cill Dara came looking for a score and were awarded a penalty in front of our posts for a high tackle.
After they levelled through the penalty - Coolmine quickly went looking for a score and upped the tempo with some fine individual efforts and well worked passages of play. Their lineout work in particular was never troubled and it gave them a great platform to take the game to Cill Dara.
With the injury toll beginning to mount for both sides, Coolmine finally got the break they needed when Cill Dara were blown up for going in at the side of a ruck in their own 22.
Conor Hayes converted the kick from a not-too-easy angle (see pic above).
But the drama wasn't finished as straight from the re-start Coolmine gave away a penalty which Cill Dara opted to take but it came up short. The kick however came off the side of the upright, was half fumbled and pounced on by the oncoming Cill Dara team. Somehow the Coolmine defence dug deep and turned over the possession and cleared the danger.
For the remaining ten minutes Coolmine turned the screw but the scores just wouldn't fall their way with three missed penalty kicks - one coming off the upright and numerous close encounters with the try line but no chalk on the ball.
The sense of relief at the final whistle was palpable for this team as they have been through the wars for the past 18 months. A first league win and a good start to come back from behind and close the game out.
Plenty to be positive about for Coolmine.
