Mallow hosted Skibereen in the County Cup semi-final last Sunday in what was Mallow's last home game of what's been a truly unforgettable season. The North Cork side were looking to maintain their 100% win record on home soil in St Joseph's Road. The first round of this tournament saw Mallow take a Division 1 scalp in their opening competitive game of the season with a hugely impressive win over Crosshaven. They then got a bye in the quarter final from neighbours, Fermoy. Mid-table Skib demonstrated an opportunity for the home side to test themselves against a team who they will face next season following Mallow's recent promotion. Mallow, shorn of a few regular starters, began well and settled themselves into the game with an early penalty from the boot of Jimmy Glynn. The lead then changed hands numerous times during the opening quarter of the match. Skib responded within 5 minutes, scoring an unconverted try in the corner. Mallow again took the lead with another penalty before Skib notched one of their own to go into an 8-6 lead. The team from the Blackwater valley however flexed their considerable muscle for the remainder of the half. On the 30 minute mark, Mallow worked themselves into a great position just outside the Skib 22m line. A fantastic backs move involving David Breen, Mike Sweeney and Richard Weedle, with the latter busting his way through several tackles from the visitors, to set up David Walsh who raced away under the posts for a high quality opening try. Mallow's superlative pack, led by the strength of Chris O' Regan, Brian Ward, Tysone Stephens and Timmy Fitzgerald paid real dividends during this encounter and their scrum dominance was evident throughout. The pack carried very well in the lead up to their second try. From the base of the ruck, Peter Cosgrove threw a dummy which Skib's defence bought and darted over the whitewash, showing strength from close range. Glynn converted again and the home side went into the break with a 20-8 lead, yet without having to get out of 3rd gear.
Early in the second half saw the home side assert their dominance again. Mallow, through David Breen scored their opening try of the second half. A quick show-and-go saw him ghost through a small gap to score his eleventh try of the season and strengthen his place at the top the try scoring charts. The visitors responded with another try of their own mid-way through the half to leave the scoreline at 27-13. Despite needless unforced errors from Mallow,
momentum did swing back in their favour again as they rounded off their scoring thanks to an Owen Glynn try for the ages. Normally the Mallow faithful are accustomed to their stalwart Owen Glynn’s ferocious defense or barreling line breaks, but today a try suffocated in skills, awareness, and line speed was on offer for the faithful. Skib failed to clear their lines but the never-say-die attitude of Glynn paid “5” fold as he collected a spilt ball from the opposition, controlled by exceptional feet, twice, and the crowd roared as Glynn dotted down for a contender for try of the season! From there on out, the hosts were comfortable and never looked like relinquishing their lead to their west-Cork rivals. They closed out the game on a scoreline of 34-13 and secured their place in the County Cup final, likely to be held at Irish Independent Park; the date and time of which is yet to be confirmed.
In their bid to collect their second piece of silverware for the season, they will face a very strong Bandon RFC who finished 3rd in the Munster Junior Division 1 league. This competition represents a trophy which has eluded Mallow for a long time. Indeed, Mallow's last appearance in the decider of this competition was in 2007, however the only time this trophy was won by the North Cork outfit was against Bandon in 1969.