Bective survive late surge by Thomond to book their place in the AIL 2C Final
18 April 2026, Energia Park, Donnybrook -Semi-Final AIL D2C.
BECTIVE RANGERS FC 21 – 13 THOMOND RFC
Bective survived a late surge by a gallant Thomond to edge a dramatic AIL 2C semi - final at Energia Park and book their place in the final next Saturday against Clonmel RFC.
Visiting Donnybrook for the second time in as many weeks , it was Thomond who started the better with a backline move off a lineout nearly resulting in a try out wide.
However Bective were not long getting into their stride and after a couple of infringements inside the Thomond half captain Matthew Gilsenan decided to go for points and popped over an easy penalty on 7 mins.
Almost from the restart Thomond’s backs showing their slick hands saw full back Costelloe break the line to put winger Sam Birrane over under the posts with the conversion added, Thomond were in front. 3 -7
Thomond were making life difficult, stemming Bective’s big runners and making a nuisance at the breakdown, the game was now a typical cup tie with both sides full on and the strong wind favouring Thomond.
Nonetheless Bective were in front after 15mins , from a lineout move near the Thomond line , Oisin McCloskey made the yards and quick hands saw Bobby Holland dive over under the posts , with the conversion from Matthew Gilsenan, 10 -7 to Bective.
But Thomond responded from the kick off, from their own 22, Jake Connolly putting Sam Birrane away for a great run to the Bective line , only for a desperate tackle by Matthew Gilsensan to deny the try.
So nip and tuck with both sides spurning opportunities, a great phase of play from the Rangers saw Oisin McCluskey held up over the line, for Thomond to deny Bective a vital score.
Thomond were having a good spell now, disrupting both the Bective lineout and scrum leading to a penalty for Thomond for Evan Cusack to level the scores at the break 10 -10.
(Half-time: Bective Rangers FC 10 – Thomond RFC 10))
Bective kicked off with the wind at their backs and were soon on the offensive inside the Thomond half , however both sides were on the wrong side of referee’s RossWhitfield’s whistle at the scrums early in the half, and it was from an infringement on a great Bective scrum on the 40 meter line that Matthew Gilsenan gave Bective the lead with a well struck penalty on 60 min. 13 – 10 to Bective.
It was all Bective now looking for the score that might put some daylight between the sides . But Thomond still prepared to move the ball at any opportunity always looked dangerous on the break. As the half progressed no quarter was given and the Thomond defence was holding firm and soaking up all the pressure . Cup matches tend to have a life of their own and it was after a Thomond spilled ball at half way hacked on by ChrisPoole up to the Thomond line forcing Jamie McGarry to find touch in his 22. Bective took their opportunity with a perfect line out take from Gavin Kelly to set up the maul and rumble over the whitewash for that man Chris Poole to touch down. With the difficult conversion missed Bective stretched their lead to 18 – 10 with 68min on the clock.
Bective continued to dominate but Thomond held firm and waited for their opportunity. Displaying all their qualities with No 8 Shane Kelly and centre Luke Fitzgerald prominent, Thomond were now putting it up to Bective in the final minutes. After a Bective infringement on their 22, Evan Cusack deciding to take the 3 points. 18- 13 game on, just 5 minutes to fulltime.
Momentum had swung to Thomond, and it was now a battle for Bective to the full time whistle. Play was now on the Bective 22 backs to the wall, with a combination of wrong options and heroic Bective tackling , Thomond’s Evan Cusack decided to dunk a beautiful kick to the corner for winger Jason Kiely to gather. But Chris Rolland was alert to the threat and made the tackle , with the ball spilled Rolland hacked the ball down the pitch to the Thomond line. Referee Whitfield blew the whistle, penalty Bective to the relief of the home supporters. Matthew Gilsenan happily stroked over the penalty to close out an amazing cup tie.
Next Up: ENERGIA AIL 2C FINAL awaits Bective next Saturday 25 April, KO 2.30pm in Clonmel, after their semi- final victory over Dolphin. It will be a historic day for both clubs and going on our recent matches it promises to be another titanic close game. The home team expect to have their biggest crowd in years at Ard Gaoithe, so Bective need to not only match them on the pitch but on the sideline too. All support welcome or travel on the supporter’s bus . Contact Jim Dwyer 085 280 1421
Scorers: Bective Rangers: Tries: Bobby Holland, Chris Poole . Con: Matthew Gilsenan . Pen: Matthew Gilsenan (3)
Thomond: Tries: Sam Birrane; Con: Evan Cusack . Pen: Evan Cusack (2)
FT: Bective Rangers 21 Thomond 13
BECTIVE RANGERS:15 Tim Carroll; 14 Chris Rolland, 13 Ben Garrett, 12 Bobby Holland, 11 David McPolin; 10 Matthew Gilsenan (capt), 9 Connor Halpenny; 1 Rory Mulvihill, 2 Chris Hennessy, 3 Conor Kelly, 4 Donagh Lawler, 5 Mark O’Brien, 6 Tiarnan McCloskey, 7 Chris Poole, 8 Gavin Kelly.
Replacements: 16 Scot Barron , 17 Oscar Egan, 18 Scott O’Keefe , 19 Ronan Cregan, 20 Oisin McCloskey,21 Charlie Reilly , 22 Tom McCarty 23 Craig Cantwell.
Referee: Ross Whitfield, IRFU.
