East Munster League Final 2015/16
Nenagh Ormond RFC v Clonmel RFC
Thurles Rugby Club, Sat Jan 9th 2016
With the game timed for 7pm under lights in Thurles RFC, both teams entered Saturday’s eagerly awaited clash unbeaten this season and had justifiably earned the right to be here. The weather conditions in Thurles seemed to be threatening to put a dampener on proceedings as the rain started to fall steadily as we arrived in Thurles and it did not let up until after the final whistle. In what were extremely difficult conditions both teams served up a stirring contest and, unfortunately for us,Clonmel just edged the encounter after an injury-time penalty to win the game for Nenaghjust drifted to the wrong side of the posts.
After an intense opening spell where both sides threw themselves into the fray with abandon, Clonmel were first to strike after our defence got too narrow and we were unable to prevent their winger from reaching the try line after they moved the ball through the hands from a ruck wide on the right hand side. It wasn’t a place for the faint-hearted and there were none on either side as the prize of victory in a final seemed to lift the performances of all players to surmount the drudgery of the weather and completely rivet the attention of the sizable attendance who could only marvel at the handling skills and the bravery of all thirty young men on the field.
After conceding the first try,Nenagh battled bravely for every opportunity to attack Clonmel but we found ourselves outmuscled at the breakdown where at timesClonmel’scounterruckingwas causing us to turn over hard won possession. However, we stuck to the task and eventually were awarded a penalty within range and Captain Hugh Guest opted for the posts. He coolly slotted his kick and this brought the score to 5-3 with ten minutes of the first half remaining.
As the underfoot conditions deteriorated further, the battle only seemed to intensify. Then, just on the stroke of half-time a lapse in concentration allowed the Clonmel winger to pick the ball from behind a ruck just inside their half and skip past a couple of despairing tackles. He was chased all the way to the line but he managed to score under the posts and suddenly, after playing most of the rugby in the first half, we were trailing 12-3 at the break.
The second half was no different to the first. The commitment from both sides was phenomenal and despite the increasingly trying conditions there was no decrease in skill levels. If anything the contest reached another level as the game swung from one end to the other, with both defences holding out successively against sustained attacks.
On one such occasion when Clonmel were trying to pass their way out of their twenty-two after a line-out, brilliant anticipation and great handling by James Meagher ensured the perfect intercept. He then had the physicality to take him through the desperate tackles to get over the line about fifteen metres in from the touchline. Upstepped Hugh Guest to slot the extras and Nenagh were right back in it with only ten minutes to go. Clonmel went on the attack again from the restart and only resolute and brave defence kept them at bay as they threatened what would have been the game winning try.
The drama wasn’t finished yet!Nenagh’s defence refused to bow and once again they kept playing the only way they know and battled their way upfield. With their defence under huge pressure, a Clonmel player entered the ruck from the side and Nenagh had a penalty. With full-time fast approaching, Hugh Guest bravely stepped up to attempt the match-winning kick but alas it drifted slightly to the right of the posts and Clonmel could breathe a huge sigh of relief. The contrast between the cries of elation and groans of dejection were equal to the intensity of the contest and unfortunately on this occasion the bitter taste of defeat was ours to swallow.
All twenty-two players who have been training since September were sent in to battle and all fronted-up manfully. It has been a revelation to see the way they have matured and developed their skills over the past few months. The manner in which they took their defeat on the chin shows how much of a credit they are to their parents and guardians, their club and to North Tipperary. The league is over but the Cup competition is about to commence. Training continues for all players born in 2002 at Tyone every Wednesday night from 7 to 8.30pm.
Nenagh Ormond RFC Under 14 panel:
Joe Cooney, Jake Clarke, Jack Deane, Cathal Delaney, James Duff, Daniel Gleeson, Luke Gleeson, Hugh Guest, Liam King, Cian McInerney, James Meagher, Ruairi Moylan, Dylan Murphy, Eoin O’Meara, Anthony O’Donovan, David O’Sullivan, Sean Richardson, Cathal Ryan, Aaron Ryan, Shane Whelan, Jack White, Danny Wilkinson.
UBL Division 2A
Skerries 15-30 Nenagh Ormond
Nenagh Ormond Senior XV continued their AIL campaign on Saturday with an away fixture against Skerries and both teamsneeded a winto secure their place on the Division 2A Table. Nenagh went on the attack straight away with John Long and LemekiVaipulu carrying well, eventually winning a penalty which Michael Walsh slotted to put them three points ahead after five minutes. Ten minutes later they won a penalty in the scrum and kicked for touch. From the lineout, Nenagh set up a super maul which took them over the line for Kevin O’Gorman to touch down.
Inside the last ten minutes of the half, Skerries were penalised for being offside and with the infringement so close to the try line their Number 8 was sin binned. Michael Walsh kicked the penalty to stretch the lead to 11 points. Nenagh didn’t have a numbers advantage for too long though as just minutes later they too were yellow carded for a ruck infringement. Skerries kicked the penalty to leave the half time score at 3-11.
Skerries came out with a second wind after half time and the majority of the third quarter was a real battle for control. The first score of the half came when Nenagh robbed a Skerries lineout and Willie O’Connor crashed through the defence before offloading to flanker Anthony Grey to score. Walsh added the extras and Nenagh led by 18 points to 3.
From the long kick off, Nenagh kicked to half way and the Skerriesouthalfcaught Nenagh napping, racing into Nenagh’s 22 where he drew the final defender and passed to the winger who scored in the corner. When KolioHifo broke to within 10 metres of the try line five minutes later, there was plenty of support there. One out runners sucked in the defence before the ball came back out to Corcoran. He skipped to Hifo who popped the ball to O’Leary for a try out wide. Walsh missed the difficult conversion but Nenagh had lots of breathing space with a 15 point lead.
Skerries continued to play their expansive running game and took their chance when they got a lineout inside Nenagh’s 22 with Frawley adding the conversion to bring the score to 15-23. Nenagh were clinical though when they won a scrum ten metres out from the Skerries try line. LemekiVaipulu picked and passed to Hifo who powered through for the bonus point try. Walsh made no mistake with the conversion and Nenagh left Holmpatrick with the full five points.
Nenagh Ormond Senior XV continue their Ulster Bank League campaign this Saturday when they are at home to Malone. Kick off is at 2.30pm.
Nenagh Team:
Michael Walsh, John Long, Derek Corcoran, Willie O’Connor, EathonMoloney, KolioHifo, Mike Fogarty, Fergal Brislane, John Healy, John Hayes, Kevin O’Gorman, Kevin O’Flaherty, Mike Slattery, Anthony Grey, LemekiVaipulu.
Reps: Peter O’Connor, Conor Brislane, Andrew Mackey, John O’Flaherty, Peter O’Leary.
Match & Meal Deal
Are you coming out to support Nenagh Ormond this Saturday? Why not come out and join us for the pre-match lunch. Lunch is just €15 including entry to the match. Enjoy good food and company before cheering on our Senior XV against Malone in the Ulster Bank League. Contact any committee member or PM us on Facebook to book your place!
Under 16s 14-7 Bruff RFC
With the recent rain finally letting up Nenagh Ormond Under16s resumed their Pan Munster campaign on Sunday morning with a match against a fancied Bruff team in Lisatunny. Bruff took the game to Nenagh for the first 10 minutes but in those early exchanges Nenagh’sdefense held tough and withstood the pressure.
With the ball in hand Nenagh used their backs effectively getting the ball to Eamon Hough on the wing on a few occasions where he made great ground. From one of those backline moves, Eamon made great progress up the left hand side and, after breaking the first tackle, he got a great offload to Darragh Flannery allowing him to go in unopposed under the posts. Conor O’Brien added the extras for a 7-0 lead.
Bruff came back at Nenagh again but again the Nenagh defense answered all questions asked of them. After a successful turnover inside the Nenagh 22 it looked like Nenagh would get the ball out wide again but a pass went astray and the loose ball was pounced on by Bruff with their player getting in for a try under the posts. The extras were added and we were tied at 7 all. Nenagh responded well and having gained a foothold inside Bruff territory a clever kick by Ben Duff was excellently chased by Conor O’Brien who won the race to score in the corner. Conor added the difficult extras with a superb kick leaving the score 14-7 at half time.
The second half continued in the same vein with excellent defences on both sides countering some great attacking play. Both sides had opportunities to score but the closest either side made it was a missed penalty by Conor O’Brien. The final score was 14-7 to Nenagh.
This was an excellent team performance by Nenagh against a well drilled Bruff side. It would be unfair to mention any standout performances as the team as a whole stood up on the day. Our next match is in Lisatunny next Sunday at 1pm against Killorglin.
Team: Michael Bourke, Jack Dunne, Luke Connolly, John Spillane, Michael Kennedy, Stephen Harding, Orrin Moore, Jack O’Keefe, Darragh Flannery, Ben Duff, Eamon Hough, Jack Moran, Evan Murphy, Eddie O’Dwyer, Conor O’Brien, Alex Hayes, Danny O’Connor, RuanO’Hanluain, Nathan Deely-O’Meara, Daniel Molamphy, Ronan Kelly, Sam West.
Nenagh Ormond Ladies
Nenagh Ormond Ladies Rugby Team will continue their All Ireland Cup campaign in the coming weeks and they need you! Women’s rugby at Nenagh Ormond is now in its twelfth competitive season and new players are always welcome.
No previous experience is necessary so if you want to get fit for the new year in a friendly team atmosphere call June on 086 3827180 or Therese on 087 9532562 for more information!
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