1XV Match Report: Thomond Fight Back to Sink Bective
Thomond RFC 29 – 22 Bective Rangers
AIL Division 2C | Liam Fitzgerald Park | 27 September 2025
Head-to-Head – Played 18 times in the AIL. -- Won 11. Draw 1. Lost 6.
Thomond RFC showed real resilience to overturn a 12–0 deficit and claim a 29–22 victory over Bective Rangers in their Energia All-Ireland League Division 2C opener at Liam Fitzgerald Park.
Bective made the brighter start, crossing twice in the opening quarter through Shane O’Meara and Connor Halpenny to open up a 12–0 lead. But Thomond hit back strongly, with tries from Colin Slater and Riann O’Dwyer bringing them level.
Momentum then swung firmly towards the home side as flanker Ryain O’Donovan Ahern powered over before the break, Evan Cusack converting to give Thomond a 19–12 advantage. Bective were unlucky not to draw level on half time after sustained pressure under the Thomond posts Ternan McCloskey was deemed to have been held up with no try awarded and send Thomond into the break with the 7-point lead.
The hosts pressed on after the restart, No. 8 Suliano Mainavolau crashing over and Cusack keeping the scoreboard ticking with the conversion and a penalty. Bective refused to lie down, flanker Chris Poole touching down, brilliantly converted by Conor Halpenny, then replacement Mikey O’Hare adding a late penalty for the deserved losing bonus point, to close the gap, but Thomond’s defence held firm.
Cusack’s 12 points and a dominant pack performance proved decisive, while Bective will rue letting a promising early lead slip.
Nonetheless the Bective squad fought all the way to the whistle and will have better days ahead.
