Ulster Bank League
Division 2A
Nenagh Ormond 20-0 U.C.C.
After a long trip to Banbridge and an even longer trip home, Nenagh Ormond were looking to get their season back on track last Saturday and they managed to do just that. This was a game that Nenagh can honestly say they dominated and the gap in the scoreline could have been even bigger. Nenagh had the vast majority of possession, particularly in the first half, and even when U.C.C. did get the opportunity to attack and give Nenagh a couple of scares in the second half, it was short-lived and well managed by a far more aggressive Nenagh defence than had been on show North of the border the previous week.
Nenagh started strongly with carries from John Healy, LemekiVaipulu and Derek Corcoran immediately making inroads into the U.C.C. defence only for the ball to be knocked on just five metres out. They came again minutes later with Eoin Gardiner and Kevin O’Flaherty making half-breaks to gain valuable yards but again they were denied when a scrum infringement allowed U.C.C. to kick their way out of trouble. After ten minutes, the visitors had their first real chance with a lineout inside the Nenagh half. Some good offloads took them into Nenagh’s 22 but the defence held firm and U.C.C. conceded a penalty for holding on, allowing Nenagh to make their way to just inside their own half.
Nenagh kicked after the ensuing lineout and Mike Fogarty gathered the ball well to give some quality quick ball. Nenagh eventually won a penalty which came off the posts but it seemed it was only a matter of time before they would put some points on the board. Those points came 17 minutes into the game when Nenagh won a scrum on the U.C.C. 5-metre line. From this they were awarded a penalty and they opted to take another scrum, a decision that was justified when LemekiVaipulu came storming off the back, making the hard yards before popping to flanker Peter O’Connor who powered over the try line. John Healy added the extras to leave the score at 7-0, a score which remained unchanged for the rest of the half despite continued dominance of the match by Nenagh Ormond.
U.C.C. kicked off for the second half and Nenagh quickly made their way down the pitch but U.C.C. won a penalty when Nenagh held on which brought them back to half way. From the lineout, Shane O’Hanlon gave Nenagh a real scare when he broke through the defence and only a covering tackle from EathonMoloney saved Nenagh from conceding. Nenagh regathered and put on the pressure with good carries from John Healy and Michael Walsh eventually resulting in a penalty which Healy slotted to push the score out to 10-0 to the home side.
U.C.C. had the next chance with a lineout on Nenagh’s 22 but hugely aggressive defence pushed them back and Nenagh regained the ball, allowing Mike Fogarty to kick into the U.C.C. half. U.C.C. returned the kick which was fielded by Derek Corcoran who pinned back his ears and made a searing run up the left wing right into the U.C.C. 22. After a quick recycle, EathonMoloney’s pace took him around the defence and he raced the final fifteen metres to score.
With under fifteen minutes left to play, Nenagh put the game beyond reach for the visiting team when Mike Fogarty kicked from outside the 22 and Eoin Gardiner chased and tackled the U.C.C. catcher into touch. From the lineout, the ball went out to Derek Corcoran who broke from 40 metres and scored in the corner to put Nenagh ahead by 20 points to nil. Nenagh now found themselves chasing a bonus point try with ten minutes to go but U.C.C. had gradually been gaining more and more possession throughout the half and Nenagh conceded a couple of penalties in this period eventually resulting in a yellow card for not rolling away at the ruck. Despite this, Nenagh still created a couple of chances which unfortunately did not come off in the end.
Nenagh Ormond continue their marathon run of eight league matches in a row this Saturday, October 17th, with a home fixture against Galway Corinthians. Kick-off at 2.30pm.
Nenagh Team: Michael Walsh, DarraghHassey, Derek Corcoran, William O’Connor, EathonMoloney, Mike Fogarty, Eoin Gardiner, Fergal Brislane, John Healy, Jonathan Hayes, Kevin O’Gorman, Kevin O’Flaherty, Peter O’Connor, Anthony Kavanagh, LemekiVaipulu. Reps: Aidan Doyle, Cian Comerford, Peter O’Leary, John O’Flaherty, Gerard O’Gorman.
Match & Meal Deal!
Coming out to support our Senior XV against Galway Corinthianson Saturday? Why not avail of our Match & Meal deal and join us for the pre-match lunch at 1pm. It’s just €15 including entry to the match and all are welcome to attend. Contact any committee member or contact us through our website or Facebook page to book your seat!
RWC Scratch Cards
With under 3 weeks left to the RWC Final on October 31st be sure to get your scratch card soon to be in with a chance to win! First prize is a weekend in Dublin for 2 along with 2 match tickets for Ireland v Wales! Tickets are just €2 each and are available from committee members, players, coaches and many members.
Richmond 17-12 Under 18s
Nenagh Ormond Under18s travelled to Richmond RFC on Sunday morning last with a smaller than usual panel. From the very kick off Nenagh were under a lot of pressure and they gave away two kickable penalties and were down 6-0 after 18 minutes. In the 25th minute, the Nenagh pack started to dominate the scrum, got in to the Richmond 22m area and Tommy Wells, who broke from a ruck, scored an impressive well worked try. It left Mervyn Hayes with a difficult kick which he duly converted.Shortly before half time Nenagh conceded another penalty which left the half time score 9 – 7 in favour of Richmond.
In the second half Nenagh started very strongly and with the pack’s dominance were rewarded with another Tommy Wells well worked try after five minutes. Mervyn Hayes failed with a difficult conversion close to the touch line. After 15 minutes of the second half Nenagh were up 12 – 9 but were defending their try line & had been under a lot of pressure but they regained possession and with a high clearance kick got out of trouble. The Richmond out half gathered and with his back line ran in a good try in the corner, which they failed to convert, leaving the score at 14 – 12 with the last quarter to go.
Nenagh had lots of time to regroup, but gave away a number of penalties in key areas when a score looked most likely. With a minute to go, Richmond got a kickable penalty which was converted leaving the final score at 17 – 12.
Team: Thomas McGrath, Tommy Wells, Rory McCarthy, Cathal Ryan, Peter Ryan, Mervyn Hayes, Aaron White, Jack Moloney, Michael Grace, Martin Rainsford, Luke Fahey, Fiachra Carey, Harry Young, Alex Mosei, Brian Connaughton, Padraig Corcoran.
Clanwilliam 12-40 Under 16s
Nenagh Ormond Under16s continued their league campaign with their third win of the campaign on Sunday morning away to Clanwilliam. On a perfect morning for rugby the squad of 20 arrived in Tipperary Town ready for action and did not disappoint. In front of a camera crew that were recording a Rugby World Cup documentary, the boys were quick off the mark with Evan Murphy getting over after some great work by the forwards. Conor O’Brien added the difficult extras for a 7-0 lead.
Some strong carrying in the forwards by Alex Hayes and Michael Bourke gave great field position for the Nenagh backs to work with. One of these pick and go movements resulted in Alex Hayes getting the final touch down. He can thank Orrin Moore for the super pressure he put on the opposing scrum-half and out-half that led to the turnover which started the movement. Again Conor O’Brien added the difficult extras for a deserved 14-0 lead midway through the first half.
Conor added to his points tally with an intercept try under the posts and a tap over conversion three minutes from the break leaving it 21-0. Clanwilliam responded well at the restart and were unlucky not to get a score of their own on the stroke of half-time when Ben Duff did well to hold the ball carrier and ball up when the try line was crossed.
Nenagh started the second half well and Colm Moylan got in on the right wing for a great team score with backs and forwards working together. The difficult conversion was just short leaving the score 26-0. At this stage,Clanwilliam responded well and had a dominant period where they got two scores. The first a fine sweeping backline move resulting in a try in the right corner and the second a fine individual effort going in under the posts. A third try eluded them when a fine line break was thwarted by a super chase, tackle and turnover.
The score was now 26-12 and the Nenagh boys looked in disarray. However, the team showed their character in getting back on top again and dominating the remainder of the match. Stephen Harding’s strong workrate all day was rewarded with a try in the left corner, Conor O’Brien again adding the difficult extras. Evan Murphy added a second try late on when he backed himself and went in under the posts. The try was converted leaving the final score 40-12 in favour of Nenagh.
Team: Alex Hayes, Michael Bourke, Luke Connolly, John Spillane, Michael Bourke, Stephen Harding, Orrin Moore, Jack O’Keefe, Nathan Deely-O’Meara, Darragh Flannery, Ronan Kelly, Evan Murphy, Conor O’Brien, Colum Moylan, Ben Duff, Sam West, RuanO’Hanluain, Jack Moran, Eamon Hough, Eddie O’Dwyer.
Old Crescent 36-12Under 15s
Nenagh Ormond Under15s made the short trip to Rosbrien to play Old Crescent RFC in the league on Friday night under lights. Not for the first time this season Nenagh were very slow out of the blocks and found ourselves 19-0 down after 10 minutes. Our speed off the line was slow which allowed Old Crescent too much time to move the ball through their backs to their strong running athletic wingers who when given the space knew how to exploit it.
To their credit the boys stuck manfully to their task and Jack Moran exploited a knock-on advantage to the full to get our opening score running in from 50 metres out. Another score for Old Crescent on the stroke of half time made the score 26-5. We conceded a fifth try in the first minute of the second half making the score 28-5 with what looked like 29 long minutes ahead.
At this stage the boys really lifted their performance. The pressure they put on the Old Crescent players caused many turnovers, with Jack Moran leading the backline defence and getting them to move up much quicker. The contest became a very even affair. Old Crescent got in again with 10 minutes to go leaving it 36-5 but Nenagh fought on resolutely and got another score of their own with Luke Connolly dotting down after some Trojan work by Jack O’Keefe whose work rate throughout the game was one of the highlights. Jack Moran kicked a super conversion making it 36-12 where it stayed until the final whistle.
Well done to Sean Hayes in his first game of rugby making a fine debut when introduced as a second half substitute.
Team: Kian O’Kelly, James Ferris, Conor McMahon, Patrick Finn, Owen Farrell, Jack Moran, Peter Rainsford, Luke Connolly, Patrick Whelan, EoghanSlevin, Conor Malone, Lorcan Tuohy Donnelly, RuanO’Hanluain, Dylan Knight, Jack O’Keefe, Dylan Murphy, Kevin Harding, Oisin Larkin, Michael Courtney-Bowler, Sean Hayes.
Clanwilliam 14-41Under 14s
Nenagh OrmondUnder14’s continued their league campaign away to Clanwilliam on Sunday. The match was played in perfect conditions and despite leaking an early try, Nenagh treated the crowd to a great display of running rugby and ran out comfortable winners in the end. Memories of a heavy defeat to the same opposition last season was a motivating factor and the entire team rose to the occasion.
Following some strong carrying by Jake Clarke and Shane Whelan, James Meagher scored in the corner and Hugh Guest added the extras. Dominance at the breakdown ensured Nenagh owned the ball for the remainder of the half and Jake Clarke, Jack Deane and Liam King capped fine individual performances by adding further tries. Some loose kicking kept Clanwilliam in the match and they scored again to leave the score at 24 – 14 at half time.
All five substitutes came on at half time and made an impact on the game. Nenagh took control for the entire second half, the back row were outstanding and Cathal Ryan powered over for two tries. Nenagh went through the phases and David O Sullivan playing at second centre finished off some great work to score two tries. Final Score 48 – 14.
Great credit has to go to the players and their parents for such a great turnout in the last two weeks. Many thanks to Joe Donovan who had to ref the match at short notice. Our next league match is at home against Thurles on October 25th.
St. Senan’s 5-39 Under 13s
In every sport there are certain days that everything clicks and Sunday was that day for our Under 13s. With everyone in Shannon town ahead of schedule, one could see in the players’ eyes that they were ready for battle.
A great intensity was evident from the kick off and we forced Senan’s back over their own line with the referee incorrectly giving them a 22 to clear their lines. From this 22 the forwards gathered, drove forward and released the back line who showed lovely hands for Padraig Hassett to round the last defender and run around to touch down under the posts. James Finn added the extra two points.
Senan’s attacked from the restart and were over on two occasions only to be held up over the line and driven back by aggressive Nenagh defence. It was now that the Nenagh forwards rolled up their sleeves and became a pack. The front five of Jack Gleeson, Sean Fitzgerald, Patrick Fogarty, Tom Kennedy and Darragh Tucker tore into their opponents and the back row of John Brislane, EoghanTighe and in particular Evan Rainsford tackled everything that moved. This trio also turned over heaps of ball and kept continuity in our game by being at every breakdown.
The next two tries came from two of these forwards as both John Brislane and Darragh Tucker were on hand to drive over from close range. Peter Collins was next on the try scorers list to leave the half time score at 24-0 to Nenagh.
We scored three more tries in the second half through Padraig Hassett, Liam Cooney and DJ McGrath. Subs were introduced and special mention must go to Libor Tomesek playing his first game and slotting in very well at tight head prop. Senan’s scored a consolation try at the death to leave the final score at 39 points to five in favour of Nenagh Ormond. This was the best performance from this group to date and the challenge now is to replicate this commitment and intensity.
Team: Jack Gleeson, Sean Fitzgerald, Patrick Fogarty, Tom Kennedy, Darragh Tucker, John Brislane(captain), Evan Rainsford, EoghanTighe, Niall O’Sullivan, James Finn, Padraig Hassett, Peter Collins, DJ McGrath, Andrew Ferris, Sonny Dower. Replacements: Cian White, George O’Leary, Libor Tomesek, Eoin O’Brien, Liam Cooney, Adam Steed, Paddy Ryan, Tommy Ryan and Sean Willams.
Mini Blitz
NORFC Minis (Under 7s – Under 12s) will play in a blitz in Roscrea this Sunday, 18th October. Arrive in Roscrea at 10.30am for 11am kick off. Handouts were distributed at training last Sunday morning with details.
Membership
Please note that membership for the coming 2015-16 season is now due. Please forward membership to the appropriate coach/team manager or to any committee member.
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