Mallow kicked off 2020 with a home league tie against table toppers Kilfeacle on Sunday last. As cars packed St Joseph’s Rd and hordes of supporters flooded into Parkadillane, it became obvious why this was billed as Mallow’s big opportunity to chase down arguably the best Junior rugby team in the country. With Kilfeacle set to compete in the All Ireland Junior Cup final in the coming weeks, this fixture was always going to be a stiff test for the home side. They arrived into this tie with a quiet confidence that they could get the job done however and hunted their opposition from gun to tape. Mallow sought to stamp their authority on this tie right from the off. Hugely physical tackles from each and every member of the pack led to the Tipp side being shoved back on a few occasions. Mallow exited extremely well throughout the opening half, playing for territory and using the elements to their advantage. Their early dominance forced Kilfeacle into conceding a penalty outside their 22m after fifteen minutes which was converted by full back Jimmy Glynn. Mallow’s line speed and eagerness in defence was obvious as the half wore on with the likes of Hugh Keena, Gonzalo Perez, Sam Cronin, Sean Glynn and Timmy Fitzgerald fronting up. Their tenacity and willingness to make big defensive impacts was something which the mighty Kilfeacle had arguably not come across to date this season. Shortly after Mallow took the lead however, the visitors responded with a penalty of their own to level the tie at 3-3. The north Cork side weren’t phased though as they pushed hard for another score. While the young and strong Kilfeacle pack made them work hard for it, the home side’s period of supremacy during the second quarter was rewarded. A second penalty for Mallow saw them move into the lead once again as half time approached. On the stroke of half time, with Kilfeacle reduced to fourteen, Mallow’s pack asserted their authority on proceedings as they tested the fringe defence of their opposition with numerous pick-and-go’s as well as robust one out carries. Eventually the ball was flung wide where excellent hands allowed Jimmy Glynn to cross the white wash and send the home side into the interval with an 11-3 lead.

As the second half got underway, Mallow’s ill-discipline cost them on a few occasions. Kilfeacle’s out-half Willie Staunton punished the home side with accuracy off the tee. As the half wore on, it was dangerously poised at 11-6 in favour of the north Cork outfit with the visitors determined to break the deadlock. But, Mallow’s watertight and aggressive defence stood resolute making life difficult for their opponents. Big hits and bulldozing carries continued throughout the half, particularly from the likes of Chris O’ Regan, Dan McCarthy, Owen Glynn, Dylan Walsh and Mike Lenihan as Kilfeacle threw the kitchen sink at the home side. Each impact drawing roars from those in attendance only served to add wind to the sails of the Mallow men. As the final whistle drew closer, Kilfeacle stepped up their efforts as they sought to steal the result at the death. Mallow’s desperation not to concede saw them cough up a few penalties deep in their half. With three minutes left on the clock, the visitors produced a piece of play which underlined why they find themselves top of the league and still contending in all competitions. Ten metres out from the Mallow line, their out-half sent a sublime chip over the defence which winger Dan Lowry raced onto and dotted down, much to the dismay of the Mallow side. With the conversion added, it left very little time for the home side to get back up and find a winner. As Mallow went out fighting right to the death, unfortunately it wasn’t to be as they succumbed to their Tipp counterparts. Credit where it’s due, the visitors mustered up a moment of magic just when they needed it most. Both sides fought manfully in what was a fiercely contested match but a losing bonus point will be scant consolation for the efforts of the Mallow men as they’ll feel they left this one behind them.

Next match: Clonakilty RFC v Mallow RFC. Sunday, January 12th. KO: 1pm