Thomond RFC celebrate return to All-Ireland League ranks

THOMOND RFC are celebrating their return to the All-Ireland League for next season following their exciting 23-15 victory over Omagh Academicals in their promotion/relegation play-off final at Thomas Mellon Playing Fields on Saturday.

Back-to-back Division 1 Munster Junior League champions Thomond will play their rugby in Division 2C of the All-Ireland League next season following Saturday's victory in Co Tyrone.

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Thomond will return to the AIL next autumn after a six year absence. They will join fellow Limerick side Bruff in the division next season. 

The Fitzgerald Park side had missed out on promotion in recent weeks at promotion following a narrow defeat to Bective Rangers in the All-Ireland Provincial League Championship final at Cill Dara RFC.

Relegated from the All-Ireland League in 2019, the Limerick outfit have been building nicely all season and can now plan for their return to senior ranks.

Thomond led their hosts Omagh, who had won just two of their 18 All-Ireland League Division 2C regular season fixtures, 13-3 at half-time. 

The Limerick side took a 3-0 lead through a penalty goal from Jason Kiely before Jamie McGarry struck for their opening try of the game.

After Omagh had opened their account with a penalty, Kian McGrath crossed for a second Thomond try to increase their advantage to 10 points. 

Omagh drew within five points of their hosts when the Co Tyrone side hit back with a try early in the second half. 

Jason Kiely pushed Thomond into a 16-8 advantage with a further penalty before Omagh hit back with an intercept try to close the gap to a single point, 16-15.

Early in the final quarter, Thomond's admirable resolve shone through as Jake Connolly struck for their third try of the game with the ice cool Jason Kiely also adding the conversion for a two score lead and a 23-15 advantage. 

That proved to be the final score of the play-off as Thomond players, backroom team and supporters celebrated their return to senior ranks at full-time. 

DIVISION 2C PROMOTION/RELEGATION PLAY-OFF FINAL:

OMAGH ACADEMICALS 15 THOMOND 23, Thomas Mellon Playing Fields

Scorers: Thomond: Tries: Jamie McGarry, Kian McGrath, Jake Connolly; Con: Jason Kiely; Pens: Jason Kiely 2. Omagh Academicals: Tries: Connor Watherston-Spencer, Scott Barr; Con: Scott Elliott; Pen: Scott Elliott

Half-Time: Omagh Academicals 3 Thomond 13

THOMOND: Jamie McGarry; Andrew Lyons, Josh Dillon, Jake Connolly, Jason Kiely; Eoghain Sherlock, Evan Maher; Rian Burke, Colin Slater, Werner Kruger, Joe Costello, Shane Kelly, Riann O’Dwyer, Ryain O’Donovan Ahern, Kealan McMahon (capt). Replacements: Kian McGrath, Sean Rice, Seaghan Gleeson, Morgan Bateman, Michael Donnelly, Colin McCarthy, Greg Bateman.

OMAGH ACADEMICALS: Connor Watherston-Spencer; Matty Eccles, Josh Kyle, Scott Barr, Ryan Mitchell; Scott Elliott, Fintan Lagan; David Braden, Phil Ewing, Simon Creane, Robbie Sproule, Neville Magee, Reece Braden, Scott Wilson, Matthew Clyde (capt). Replacements: Richard Hemphill, Glenn McKinley, Jamie Sproule, Shea Daly, David Cummings.