Thomond will return to the AIL next Autumn following their impressive 23-15 win over Northern Ireland side Omagh Academicals in their promotion/relegation play-off final at Thomas Mellon Playing Fields on Saturday.

Thomond’s first XV recent success this season include back to back winning the Division 1 junior league, Challenge Cup and the Transfield Cup and now next season they will play in the AIL Division 2C.

The side missed out on promotion in recent weeks in the Round Robin Final to Bective Rangers in Cill Dara RFC, Bective will be joining the Sodacakes next season in Div 2C.

Thomond started off well unlike previous games and went 3 nill up with Jason Kiely putting the ball through the posts for a penalty.

Shortly after top try scorer Jamie McGarry touched down for his 12th of the season, unluckily Kiely hit the post and a conversion missed, putting Thomond 8 nil up against the Co. Tyrone side.

Omagh hits back with an immediate response and force a penalty and knock it over to make the game 8-3.

Just before half-time Kian McGrath crosses the white line with an excellent pick and go to make the score 13-3 going into the half.

Omagh hit back right from the kickoff in the second half and drew within 5 points with an early try.

Jason Kiely slots another penalty over for his second of the evening. Thomond 16-8 Omagh.

An unforced error from the restart and Omagh are in with a intercept try making it a one point game. Thomond 16-15 Omagh.

The Accies get their second yellow and go down to 13 men which leads to Jake Connolly dotting the ball down in the 63rd minute to claim his 10th of the season and a big conversion from Kiely makes the game 23-15 Thomond.

Omagh then miss a conversion for a long 15 minutes left for both sides.

After multiple line outs and no scores the ref blows his final whistle with the game ending Thomond 23-15 Omagh Accies.

Putting Thomond back into the AIL for their long awaited 6 year absence.

Final whistle scenes as all Thomond players, backroom staff, friends, family and fans enter the pitch for the most meaningful rendition of “Here Here The Blues Are Here” of the season.

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DIVISION 2C PROMOTION/RELEGATION PLAY-OFF FINAL:

OMAGH ACADEMICALS 15 THOMOND 23, Thomas Mellon Playing Fields

Half-Time: Omagh Academicals 3 Thomond 13

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

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

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