Nenagh/Shannon Ladies
Division 2A
UCC 13-0 Nenagh Ormond
Nenagh Ormond travelled to UCC on Saturday for their final match of this season’s Ulster Bank League. Nenagh needed the full five points from this match in order to stay in the top four and go through to the play-offs for promotion to Division 1B.
Nenagh started well and had much of the possession and territory in the first quarter but could not turn this dominance into scores while UCC took their first real chance after 17 minutes when they got a penalty on the Nenagh 10 metre line which their kicker slotted easily. Nenagh rejected any shots at goal, electing instead to kick for touch in the knowledge that only tries would keep them in the running. However, UCC added to their score ten minutes later with another penalty and, although Nenagh kept working hard the home side led by 6-0 at half time.
The second half saw a more even sharing of possession and territory but neither side seemed to be able to get over the try line. Nenagh’s defence was good, putting pressure on UCC and working well together. However, in attack small errors and turnovers gradually became more frequent as time went on and any chance of making play offs slipped away. In the final few minutes, UCC scored again when they made a break up the left touchline and, after being stopped a metre out, their centre was quick to pick and go over the line for a try which was converted, leaving the final score at 13-0 to the home side and denying Nenagh even a losing bonus point.
Nenagh finish the season in fifth place on the table and, despite the evident disappointment the players felt, the lads can be proud of the way they fought back in the second half of the season to come from tenth place up to fifth and to be in with a chance of a top four finish right up to the last match.
Team: Michael Walsh, Ruaidhri O’Brien, Derek Corcoran, William O’Connor, EathonMoloney, KolioHifo, Mike Fogarty, Fergal Brislane, Peter O’Connor, Johnny Hayes, Kevin O’Gorman, Kevin O’Flaherty, Michael Slattery (c), Anthony Kavanagh, LemekiVaipulu. Reps: Aidan Doyle, Conor Brislane, Anthony Grey, Peter O’Leary, John Long.
Munster Women’s Bowl Semi-Final
Tralee 15-3 Nenagh/Shannon Ladies
Nenagh/Shannon Ladies were away to Tralee on Sunday afternoon in the semi-final of the Munster Women’s Bowl. Unlike some other parts of the country, the sun shone bright in Tralee and conditions were perfect for the match. Both Shannon and Nenagh Ladies have met Tralee several times before and, after their first season in Division 2 where Nenagh recorded a good win over them, the Kerry side have gone from strength to strength, spending a couple of seasons in Division 1 and producing an impressive number of provincial and international players.
It was one such player that opened the scoring after ten minutes. Tralee started well but Nenagh held firm initially, working hard in defence and managing to disrupt the attacking patterns of the home side. However, Tralee then gained a foothold inside Nenagh’s 22 and put pressure on the Nenagh defence. Eventually the pressure told and Ireland flanker Ciara Griffen went over to put Tralee five points ahead.
Tralee were dominant and Nenagh were being stretched at times but the visitors did have a few chances of their own, the best of which was a five metre lineout after some hard work and aggressive carrying won them a penalty inside Tralee’s ten metre line. Unfortunately, the referee deemed the throw crooked and the chance was lost. With 25 minutes gone, Tralee pulled ahead again with another Griffen try but Nenagh/Shannon were determined and were rewarded before half time with a penalty which outhalf Sarah Cullinane kicked to leave the half time score at 10-3.
Tralee came out to finish the job early in the second half and when they got a lineout in the Nenagh/Shannon 22, they set up a solid maul which began to roll threateningly towards the try line. They seemed to fall due to their own momentum but the referee awarded a penalty against Nenagh for pulling down the maul. Tralee tapped quickly and their tight head prop powered over the line for their third try.
At 15-3 down, credit must go to the Nenagh/Shannon girls for the character and attitude they showed. They never stopped playing and almost pulled back a score of their own in the final quarter. They made their way back into the Tralee 22 where, after a number of good forward runners led by player of the match Nicolette Finn, quick hands from Sandra Williams put Karen Harney over the line only to be called back for what must have been only a marginally forward pass.
Getting to this semi-final was just reward for a team which only came together after Christmas and, through hard work, gelled together remarkably well in a short period of time. There is plenty of talent and experience for both teams to build on next season whether together or separately. Well done to players and coaches for all the work they put in during the year.
North Munster Cup QF
Under 15s 22-7 Newcastle West Estuary
Nenagh Ormond Under15s entertained Newcastle West in the North Munster Cup quarter final on Tuesday evening under lights at Lisatunny. These two sides had met in the league before Christmas playing out a 10-try thriller which Nenagh lost to a last minute conversion.
This must have been in the back of the Nenagh boys’ minds as they started the game at a very high tempo putting the Newcastle West backs under significant pressure and not allowing them to settle on the ball. This allowed Nenagh to gain a foothold deep in Newcastle West territory and after 10 minutes Luke Connolly burrowed over for the opening score to give us a 5-0 lead.
Newcastle West came back and applied some pressure in the Nenagh 22 but their scrum 10 metres from Nenagh’s line was won excellently against the head by Nenagh’s superb front row of Connolly, EoghanSlevin and Danny O’Connor. The turnover ball was spread wide quickly and excellent hands through the backline of Peter Rainsford, Owen Farrell, Jack Moran and Conor McMahon put Sean Hayes into space and he accelerated past the cover to score an excellent try under the posts which Moran converted for a 12-0 lead.
Back came Newcastle West and from a loose kick upfield they countered excellently from inside their own half and scored a fine try of their own under the posts, adding the extras to take the score to 12-7. At this stage it looked like this was going to be another ding-dong battle like the pre-Christmas league match. Coming up to half time, Newcastle West had a scrum on their own 5-metre line. Again our front row, pushed on by the excellent Lorcan Tuohy Donnelly, who had another storming game, and RuanO’Hanluain, turned the ball over against the head and a swift break by the backrow of Jack O’Keefe, Kian O’Kelly and Dylan Knight put left wing Patrick Finn in a little space which he exploited excellently to score in the left corner. This left the half time score at 17-7.
The second half was a very even affair with neither side giving much and both defences putting in Trojan work. Newcastle West kicked deep with the wind at their backs but these kicks were all dealt with capably by the always reliable Oisin Larkin. Both sides came close to scoring but the terrific defences held firm. Patrick Whelan, Conor Malone, James Ferris and Kevin Harding came into the fray and all held their own with the latter Kevin Harding getting -on the end of a fine backline move and finishing superbly to score out wide with the last play of the game leaving the final score at 22-7.
This win was just rewards for this group of boys who have put in a huge effort all year and now have a North Munster Cup semi- final to look forward to. Our thanks to everyone who helped out in any way on the night.
Team: Oisin Larkin, Sean Hayes, Conor McMahon, Jack Moran, Patrick Finn, Owen Farrell, Peter Rainsford, Danny O’Connor, EoghanSlevin, Luke Connolly, Lorcan Tuohy-Donnelly, RuanO’Hanluain, Dylan Knight, Kian O’Kelly, Jack O’Keefe (c), Patrick Whelan, Conor Malone, James Ferris, Kevin Harding.
NORFC Keeper Hill Challenge 2016
Nenagh Ormond RFC’s Keeper Hill Challenge takes place this Saturday, April 9th! All are welcome to join us for a fun, relaxed walk while supporting your club at the same time! The walk begins at 11am and follows the Keeper Hill trek/Ballyhourigan loop. Meet in Doonane Woods Car Park at 10.30am. Sponsorship cards are still available and will be collected on the day.
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