1st XV eventually fall to Clontarf

Energia AIL Division 1A Round 8

(H-T Nenagh Ormond 00 Clontarf 00)

New Ormond Park

Referee: Max Weston

Report by Mike McMahon

Player of the Match: Alan Spicer

Scorers: Nenagh Ormond: Tries: Charlie O’Doherty, Patrick Scully; Con: Charlie O’Doherty.
Clontarf: Tries: Alex O’Grady, Alex Usanov, Sam Owens, Penalty Try; Cons: Conor Kelly x 3, Pen Try.

Nenagh Ormond are still in search of their first points in division 1A but this was a creditable home performance against the reigning AIL champions Clontarf.  The Dubliners remain on course for a play-off spot with this bonus point win but they were made to work very hard by a highly competitive Nenagh who battled to the finish against their heavily stacked rivals.

Conditions on the main pitch at New Ormond Park were soft underfoot and with a greasy ball and stiff cross-field breeze, this was not a day for expansive rugby. Nevertheless, the competitive nature of the game held the interest of the large crowd throughout as the champions were met with a gritty display from the home side.

Scoreless at half-time, the game opened up considerably in the second half with six tries in total, four of which went to Clontarf. The vital breakthrough came just two minutes after the restart when Clontarf centre David Hawkshaw broke through a gap in midfield before linking with flying winger Alex O’Grady, who touched down under the posts.

Following this opening score, the momentum very much switched in favour of the visitors and they added further tries shortly afterwards through prop Alex Usanov and scrum-half Sam Owens.  To their credit, Nenagh continued to battle bravely and came close on a couple of occasions before finally getting across the whitewash through full-back Charlie O’Doherty as the game entered the final quarter. With 10 minutes remaining, Clontarf launched a powerful scrum 5 metres out which left referee Max Weston little choice but to award a penalty try and thus the bonus point was secured. Nenagh got their second try with the last play of the game as O’Doherty this time turned provider to put Patrick Scully over in the corner.

The loss means Nenagh remain pointless and adrift at the bottom of the table, but this was a better performance from the team as they prepare for their final game of the calendar year next week away to Young Munster.

NENAGH ORMOND: 15. Charlie O’Doherty, 14. Matt Brice, 13. Angus Blackmore, 12, Sean O’Brien, 11. Patrick Scully, 10. Derek Corcoran, 9. Nicky Irwin, 1. Mikey Doran, 2. Dylan Murphy, 3. Matthew Burke, 4. Kevin Seymour, 5. Kevin O’Flaherty (c), 6. John O’Flaherty (c), 7. Evan Murphy, 8. John Brislane.

Replacements: 16. Mateo Sentous, 17. Darragh McSweeney, 18. Ivan Struzia, 19. Jake O’Kelly, 20. Willie Coffey, 21. Conor McMahon.

Clontarf: 15. Tadhg Bird, 14. Alex O’Grady, 13. Hugh Cooney, 12. Dave Hawkshaw, 11. Peter Maher, 10. Conor Kelly, 9. Sam Owens, 1. Alex Usanov, 2. Dylan Donnellan, 3. Niall Smyth, 4. Fionn Gilbert, 5. Alan Spicer, 6. Luke Brady, 7. Aaron Coleman, 8. Paul Deeny.

Replacements: 16. Jim Peters, 17. Ivan Soroka, 18. Declan Adamson, 19. Michael Moloney, 20. Ross Deegan, 21. Charlie Ward.