Under 16s 0-14 Ennis
Nenagh Ormond Under16s continued their league campaign with a difficult home encounter on Sunday morning against a formidable unbeaten Ennis side. On a horrible morning for rugby with incessant rain and a strong swirling wind a squad of 18 were available for selection.
Early in the game Nenagh found themselves on the back foot against a well drilled and skilful Ennis side. This early lethargy allowed Ennis to run in two converted tries in the first 20 minutes for a 14-0 half time deficit.
Early in the second half Nenagh had a player sin binned and at this stage the boys showed great character. Some excellent work by Jack Dunne and strong tackling by Eamon Hough out wide kept Ennis scoreless during that period. In fact Nenagh were unlucky not to score when Eamon made a great break from inside his own 22 only to be foiled 50 yards further up the pitch when the ball was knocked on in the tackle as he tried to make a try scoring offload. The Nenagh boys had now gained parity with Ennis all around the field with both sides slugging it out toe to toe in terrible conditions.
The rest of the match remained scoreless. Despite the defeat Nenagh have qualified for the top tier Pan Munster U16 competition which will open up many new clubs from all over Munster for the boys to test themselves against. Exciting times ahead for this group who have some outstanding potential.
Team: Alex Hayes, Michael Kennedy, Luke Connolly, Michael Bourke, John Spillane, Stephen Harding, Orrin Moore, Jack O’Keefe, Nathan Deely-O’Meara, Daniel Molamphy, Eamon Hough, Jack Moran, Conor O’Brien, Eddie O’Dwyer, Ben Duff, Jack Dunne, Sam West, RuanO’Hanluain.
Nenagh Ormond Under 14s held off a desperate finale from Kilfeacle to seize the win in a bruising encounter at Lisatunny which ensured the hosts finished top of Group B.
Strong wind and heavy rain meant running rugby was almost impossible and the set-piece was always going to be a key battleground. Nenagh started the stronger and Hugh Guest made a great break from inside his own half but was tackled just short of the line and Kilfeacle managed to clear their lines.
Nenagh didn’t play to the conditions and tried to run the ball from static possession which resulted in possession being turned over far too easily. This along with some clever kicking from Kilfeacle ensured they dominated territory for the 1st half. Despite this Nenagh scored the first try of the match when Dylan Murphy ran a penalty from his own half, burst through the Kilfeacle defence to score under the posts, Hugh Guest added the extras. On the stroke of half time Kilfeacle with the aid of weak Nenagh tackling scored under the posts to leave the half time score 7-7.
In the second half Nenagh changed tactics and upped the physicality, carried stronger and recycled more possession. This led to an increasing amount of possession and territory. Following some great carries by the forwards Dylan Murphy burrowed over to score his and Nenaghs second score.
With the match in the balance Kilfeacle came again and their No 8 created the platform for a series of surges that almost led to the match-winning score but Nenagh relied on some solid defence in their 22 to clear their lines. Nenagh dug in and closed out the match through some impressive carries by the forwards which brought play from the Nenagh 22 to the Kilfeacle 22. The match finished Nenagh 12 Kilfeacle 7.
This hard fought victory has guaranteed a home quarter final on 22nd November. Many thanks to Joe Donovan for referring the match and Helen O Meara for helping out with food.
Under 13s
Nenagh Ormond’s Under 13 squad had two matches in Tyone on Sunday morning with the Under 13 Barbarians playing Newport and the Under 13 Lions playing Birr. The unseasonal rugby playing weather that we had experienced for the last couple of months was replaced by the more normal November conditions of wind and rain but both Nenagh teams and their opponents went about their business in the right manner and a great morning’s rugby was played by all four teams.
The Nenagh Barbarians against Newport was the first match with both teams starting well in an evenly contested fixture. Chances were created by both sides in the first half but it was Newport who took two of theirs and they led 12-0 at half time. Nenagh came out strong in the second half and following a great break by Adam Cleere, DaireSlevin was held up over the line. From the resulting scrum there was no stopping John Brislane who powered over for a try.
In atrocious weather conditions Nenagh continued to press hard and were soon level when, after some great interplay between backs and forwards, DaireSlevin touched down, with the conversion by Paul Seymour levelling the match. Nenagh continued to press and had further chances to score but Newport defended well and, with just a couple of minutes remaining, scored a breakaway try to win the match on a scoreline of 17-12.
A great effort by both teams in difficult playing conditions and a particular mention to six of the Nenagh team who were playing their first ever match for Nenagh – Eoin Quinn, Cathal O’Brien, BartoszSwitala, Thinus Lombard, Adrian O’Halloran and Patrick Quigley – well done to all.
The torrential rain had subsided by the time the Nenagh Lions took the field against Birr in the second match but while the rain may have stopped, handling conditions were still very difficult. However Nenagh made light of the difficult conditions in the first half with all players showing the required level of intensity and focus. Tackles were made, the pack drove the team forward and good back line moves were put together. The end result was that by half time Nenagh had five high quality tries on the board with PadraicHassett scoring two and one each for Joshua Delaney, DJ McGrath and Liam Cooney. James Finn added two conversions.
Birr had the benefit of the elements in the second half and come out strongly with their centre scoring two quick tries, both of which were converted. Nenagh knew they were in a game and responded well with Joshua Delaney and PadraicHassett adding further tries, one of which James Finn converted. A strong Birr team kept playing to the end and were rewarded with a third try. The game finished with a scoreline of 41- 19 to Nenagh.
This was a great effort by both teams in very difficult conditions and a special mention to Joshua Delaney who scored two tries in his first ever match for Nenagh.A big thank you to Newport and Birr for travelling and playing in the difficult conditions.
Mini Blitz
Please note the following information for the away blitz in Portumna this Sunday, November 15th.
Start time in Portumna is 10.15am. If anyone is looking for a lift / car-pooling we will be meeting in TESCO Nenagh at 9.15am.
Directions to Portumna RFC: Left at the Church and then right at the Library. Car parking is limited and there will be car parking stewards on duty.
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