Photograph: Nenagh Ormond RFC U12 team that took part in the recent Munster Blitz
Senior XV
Nenagh Ormond Senior XV retained the Cyril Fitzgerald plate after a huge victory over Young Munster in unusual circumstances last Friday night. The 74-7 win was bittersweet for the lads as they would have liked a more competitive game before their final AIL outing.
This Saturday sees the lads travel to Ards for their last match of the season and, despite having already won their league, they are determined to come away with a win to complete an unbeaten season. All support will be very welcome. Kick off @ 2.30pm.
Railway Union 27-5 Nenagh Ladies
Nenagh Ormond Ladies travelled to Dublin last Sunday for their AIL Division 2 Semi Final against Railway Union. Playing into a strong wind in the first half, the girls were working hard to make ground but did have some good spells of possession which unfortunately they could not convert into points. Railway Union were sharp and very quick to react to any opportunity and they stretched the usually outstanding Nenagh defence to score two good tries which left the half time score at 12-0.
The feeling was positive in the Nenagh camp at half time and the girls were determined to up the performance in the second half. The opening few minutes saw Railway Union under serious pressure which eventually led to a Nenagh line out five metres out from the Railway try line. Hooker Gillian Ryan threw a super ball to two and the forwards set up a great maul. Genevieve Rowland took the ball at the back of this maul and peeled away at just the right time, touching down to bring the score to 12-5.
Unfortunately, the Nenagh girls did not keep up the pressure after the score and Railway Union scored again from a turnover not long after the kick off. At 17-5 the game was far from over but the effort the girls had put in up to this point began to show. The team has had an unprecedented number of injuries this season and in the end Railway's superior fitness shone through and they scored twice again to leave the final score at 27-5.
The girls were hugely disappointed to end such a fantastic season like this but can be proud of their achievement in getting to their first AIL semi-final in five years. This is a talented group of players who will hopefully build on this year's work and be in the mix for promotion again this time next year.
Huge thanks to Dunlea Oil Nenagh and Emo Oil who sponsored new gear for the Ladies.
Team: Anna Nolan, Breda Doheny, Adeline Harty, Sandra Williams, Niki Lillis, Emma Dunlea, June Whelan, Vanessa Chadwick, Gillian Ryan, Marie Louise Ryan, Sarah Corcoran, Hazel Slevin, Eithne Darcy, Sinead Hennessy, Genevieve Rowland (capt). Reps: Aisling O'Neill, Caroline Cahalan, Margaret Hogan, Catherine McGill, Denise Williams, Jennifer Donovan.
Under 14's into Cup Semi Final
The Nenagh Under 14's were in action on Sunday last at home to Thurles who, being out of contention in the cup, conceded the points beforehand so the match ended up being played as a friendly.
This was a great chance for the selectors to give the wider squad a run out against good opposition. The match started at a fast pace with both teams looking to throw the ball around and play lots of running rugby which resulted in some good tries being scored. Thurles eventually ran out winners by 6 tries to 4 but this was a very valuable game for the team to play with a Cup semi-final to come at home next Sunday.
A special mention must go to the Dolla pair of Mike Kennedy and Mikey Bourke, both of whom got in for tries, with Mikey Bourke scoring twice on the day to add to his already growing tally.
Under 13’s 15-15 UL Bohemians
Nenagh travelled to Limerick on Sunday morning to play UL Bohs in their last match of the season. Nenagh got off to a strong start and were putting a huge amount of pressure on UL Bohs. The Nenagh tight five of Eoghan Slevin, Patrick Whelan, Luke Connolly, Daragh Butler and Oisin McMahon were extremely strong in both scrum and maul. Nenagh managed to put together some very good plays which resulted in some great back line movement but Nenagh could not manage to cross the UL Bohs line for quite some time.
Nenagh continued to ruck and maul extremely well and the back row of Dylin Knight, Kian O’Kelly and Oisin Webb provided great ball for the Nenagh backs who continued to run at UL Bohs defence. The Nenagh half backs of James Ferris and Owen Farrell gelled particularly well and with some great breaks they provided room for centres Roan Harte-Murphy and Matthew Hodgins to punch holes in the UL Bohs defence. It was following one of these breaks that full back Oisin Larkin got in for Nenagh’s first try.
The Nenagh forwards continued to dominate play up front and after another period of good pressure and some fine driving number eight Oisin Webb drove over the UL Bohs line for Nenagh’s second try. Nenagh now looked like they were in total command and were moving the ball all the way across their back line to their wings Conor McMahon and Manus Heenan who on a number of occasions were unlucky not to score. Totally against the run of play UL Bohs got in for a try just before half time to leave the score 10-5 at the interval.
Nenagh brought on some fresh legs in the second half with Conor Malone coming in to give some power in the second row and Peter Rainsford, Kevin Harding and Patrick Finn came on in the backs. Nenagh began the second half as they had started the first half continually driving at the UL Bohs line. The pressure that the Nenagh forwards were now exerting on the UL Bohs pack allowed the Nenagh backs some room and centre Matthew Hodgins got in for Nenagh’s third try. Nenagh looked like they would go on from here and score more tries. However with some very peculiar refereeing decisions UL Bohs managed to score two late tries and claim a draw in the end.
This was Nenagh’s final game of the season and one which has seen this Under 13 panel develop into a very fine group of rugby players and they deserve great praise for the way they have stuck together through the early part of the season when things were not going that well for them and to come out after Christmas and remain unbeaten for the rest of the season. The highlight of course was the winning of the East Munster league which culminated in a great away win over Waterpark a couple of weeks ago. The coaching team of Dinny, Brian and Duncan have thoroughly enjoyed working with such a great group of boys and we look forward to seeing all of you back on the Rugby field in September.
The Nenagh Rugby Club dinner dance is on the 9th of May in the Abbey Court Hotel with Joe Schmidt as the guest speaker. If any under 13 parents are interested in going and making up a table could they please text Dinny a.s.a.p. 087-2479461.
Nenagh team: Daragh Butler, Luke Connolly, Owen Farrell, James Ferris, Patrick Finn, Kevin Harding, Matthew Hodgins, Roan Harte-Murphy, Dylin Knight, Oisin Larkin, Peter Rainsford, Eoghan Slevin, Oisin Webb, Patrick Whelan, Conor McMahon, Kian O’Kelly, Oisin McMahon, Manus Heenan, Conor Malone.
Under 12’s Blitz
Nenagh Under 12’s travelled to Rockwell college last Sunday to play in a pan Munster blitz. We played Ballyclare first and despite dominating play Nenagh trailed by 2-0 at half time. The lads didn’t panic and upped the performance in the second half. The forwards began to dominate the breakdown and provide the backs with some quick ball. Paidi Williams ran a superb line to finish off a great move. Hugh Guest got in for two tries to give Nenagh a 3-2 win.
Next up were Bruff who put Nenagh under a lot of pressure through their forwards but when Nenagh did manage to move the ball they played some great rugby. Jack White and Jack Deane were unlucky to be held up when over the line. This seemed to lift Bruff who scored 2 tries to lead at half time. The signs looked ominous but the lads refused to buckle, fought tooth and nail for every ball and the second half finished scoreless. We finished up losing 2-0 to a very strong Sundays Well team.
The 17 players on the panel did themselves proud. The players even got their hands on the 6 Nations trophy which was on display in the college. Many thanks to all players and supporters who travelled on Sunday. The season is ending next Sunday when we travel to play Birr and Ballinasloe.
Panel: James Meagher, Jack Deane, Luke Gleeson, Paidi Williams, Anthony O Donovan, Hugh Guest, Dylan Murphy, Jack Meehan, Conor White, Danny Wilkinson, Sean Richardson, Kevin Cleary, Eoin O Meara, David O Sullivan, James Duff, Jack White, Brian Murphy.
©2024 Nenagh.ie. Website by The Smart Group
