Senior XV Update
Next Saturday, March 1st, sees the First Team back in action with a crunch home game against Armagh – a team against whom Nenagh often struggled to gain points. This is a game that could define the season for both teams, with Nenagh unbeaten and top of the table and Armagh still in with a big chance of promotion. A great game is assured and a big home support could just make the difference so why not come out and cheer on the lads.
Richmond 9-15 Nenagh Ormond Seconds
Nenagh Ormond have a proud tradition in the Munster Junior Cup and on Sunday last they kicked off this years campaign with a well deserved win against a strong and resilient Richmond 15.
Nenaghs’ team had a nice mix of youth and experience with a number of this years Under 20s given their chance to impress. Richmond in contrast seemed to have opted for a much more experienced group of players with one or two maybe bordering on the veteran status. The first scrum confirmed that Richmond’s veterans were well up for the test when they disrupted Nenagh’s put in and got an early squeeze on which resulted in a penalty. The Richmond full back made little of the strong wind blowing into his face to kick an excellent penalty from 35 metres out to give his team a 3 point lead.
Nenagh kicked off and came right back down the field. Richmond were penalized for not releasing to give Nenagh a penalty 25 metres out. Regular place kicker Denis Slattery had gone into the game with a strained groin so the responsibility fell to big Number 8 Kevin Seymour who slotted it easily with the deftest of kicks to bring the teams level.
Next came a superb break away try from Darragh Hassey playing in the unfamiliar position of scrum half – a position previously graced by his father Dinny. He made a nuisance of himself to disrupt Richmond possession at the base of their scrum, gathered control, showed great pace and backed himself to run from his own half to touch down. Kevin Seymour added the points to put the Ormonds 10 – 3 ahead. Richmond responded with a successful penalty of their own and then with a few minutes to go to half time another young man with a strong family pedigree – Ger O’Gorman Junior – got on the end of a good backline movement and showed great strength to get in at the corner to give Nenagh a 15 – 6 half time lead.
Nenagh had by now got on top in most areas of the game and despite the strong wind which Richmond had for the second half, confidence was high. 10 minutes into the second half however, there was an extended break for treatment to an injured player and when play resumed after about 45 minutes it seemed that Richmond had got their second wind. They threw everything at Nenagh but the defense was outstanding, well marshaled by full back Hugh Moloney, and all Richmond could score was one more penalty to reduce the deficit. Nenagh saw out the last few minutes fairly comfortably to leave the final score at 15 – 9.
As a result of this satisfactory performance Nenagh have a home game in the second round on March 22nd against St. Senans who caused a huge upset by defeating Division 1 pacesetters St. Marys.
Nenagh Ormond: Conor Brislane, Aidan Doyle, Paudie Bourke, Kevin O’Gorman, Jamie Quigley, Sean White, Andrew Mackey, Kevin Seymour, Darragh Hassey, Denis Slattery, Jack Donovan, John Long (Capt.), Hugh Moloney, Ger O’Gorman, Bruce Hayes.
Subs: Willy Carroll, Michael Walsh, Karl Mackey, Chris O’Meara, Colin Healy, Merik Gribbs.
Waterpark 5-17 Under 14s
The Under 14s began the first round of the East Munster Cup when they travelled to Waterford City on Sunday last to play Waterpark. With the matching kicking off at 11.30, an early start was required with all involved leaving from Tyone at 8.30 in the morning. The Nenagh lads, playing into a strong breeze, were slow to start and were rocked back when the home team moved the ball quickly through the hands and ran in for an early try in the corner to leave the score at 5-nil. The first half continued with the Nenagh forwards gaining dominance at scrum time and especially with their counter rucking and they went very close to scoring just before half time.
Early in the second half with the wind at their backs the Ormond forwards, led by Evan Murphy at number eigh,t began to make some serious inroads towards the waterpark line. With Michael Bourke and Stephen Harding carrying well it was only a matter of time until a real try scoring chance presented itself. The try was duly scored by Alex Hayes and converted by Ben Duff to send Nenagh in to the lead. Soon after Nenagh were awarded a penalty under the posts which Ben Duff again converted to stretch the Nenagh lead. Then late in the second half a mistake by the Waterpark players on their own line saw Alex Hayes pounce on a loose ball and barge over to give the big Ballinaclough man his second try which was yet again converted by Ben Duff to give Nenagh a seventeen to five lead which they held on to until the end.
This was a great away performance by the whole Nenagh squad and the win puts them in a strong position in this competition. Training continues in Tyone on Wednesday night with a big attendance needed.
Under 11s
The Under 11s played host to Birr and Portumna on Sunday. This was our first game in 5 weeks due to the bad weather and with only one training session under our belts we were always going to be a little rusty. The handling was a little suspect at times but the commitment was very good and when we put our minds to it we played some lovely rugby. Our rucking and counter rucking was very good and the backs were looking to draw the man and pass rather than look for contact which was keeping everyone involved in play.
The highlight of the day was a last ditch tackle by Tom Kennedy holding a certain try scorer just inches from the line and the covering Liam Cooney smashing him into touch at the corner flag. We drew one try apiece with Portumna and beat Birr two tries to one. Try scorers were DJ McGrath and Peter Collins after backline moves and James Finn scored a full length of the field individual effort.
Panel: Daniel Manning, Jack Gleeson, Patrick Fogarty, John Brislane, Sean Fitzgerald, Andrew Ferris, Eoghan Tighe, James Finn, Peter Collins, DJ McGrath, Evan Rainsford, Martin Ryan, Niall O’Sullivan, Liam Cooney, Tom Kennedy.
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