(Photo shows the U10 team enjoying their day at the Aviva Mini Festival of Rugby in Dungarvan last Sunday)

Senior: The Senior team travelled to Parsonstown, Leixlip on Saturday for round 2 of the Energia AIL vs MU Barnhall. Having secured a maximum 5 points from their opening round win the team were anxious to keep the momentum going. Barnhall, having lost their opener on the road to Old Crescent, would have been anxious to establish their own title chasing credentials having been runners up in last year’s promotion playoff final.

The opening exchanges were tight as would befit the calibre of both teams. Nenagh were playing into a strong breeze and had to concede early territory to the home side. From a penalty concession Nenagh found themselves defending deep in their own half. The defensive structure initially held well but having dragged Nenagh defenders infield the Barnhall attack saw a chance to exploit the blind side and their number 8 scored the opening try of the game.

Nenagh responded strongly and held possession on the restart, forcing a succession of penalties to work their way into the Barnhall red zone. A set play move was executed clinically to put John Healy over the line and the try count was leveled up.

The remainder of the first half was largely fought out between the ten metre lines as two well matched sides went toe to toe. Nenagh did fashion two significant line breaks from Ben Pope and Patrick Scully but on both occasions the Barnhall 15 was sharp to the task and snuffed out the breaks. The deadlock was broken when an infringement by Kevin Flaherty was punished with a yellow card and Barnhall exploited the man advantage clinically to add a try and penalty to their tally. The half time score was 13- 5 to the home side but Nenagh had the elements to come after the break.

With the full complement of players restored Nenagh upped the ante and once again the training ground work was in evidence as Nicky Irwin, Nenagh’s best player on the day, finished off a well worked move from a lineout to score an unconverted try.

Barnhall were anxious to quell the comeback and re established territory in the Nenagh half. In perhaps the key moment of the match they won a kickable penalty in sight of the Nenagh line. The opportunity to push the lead out to 6 points was rebuffed in favour of going to the corner to kill off Nenagh’s chances. Nenagh grasped the opportunity to get off the hook and Evan Murphy had the big play, getting in the air to steal the lineout and lift the siege. Barnhall soon got another kickable chance though and thought differently on this one, knocking over the kick for a 16-10 lead well into the last quarter.

Nenagh knew the game was still there for them though and went on the hunt. Irwin again had a key impact, tapping a penalty quickly to send Barnhall scrambling. When he was reeled in an attempted offload coilsd only be knocked back by the covering Barnhall defenders. Conor McMahon was sharpest to the loose ball and to the horror of the Barnhall team and supporters got free to go under the posts. He converted himself to take the lead for Nenagh for the first time.

There were only 4 mins left to play and credit is due to both teams for battling to the death in search of a winner in Barnhall’s case or an insurance score for Nenagh. Ultimately neither came. Nenagh had a late chance to kick a penalty to the corner and perhaps chase a bonus point but the pragmatic decision was taken to knock the ball dead and take the away win. Perhaps memories of Old Crescent last season came to mind here. On that occasion a decision to chase the bonus backfired and even cost the team the win. Small margins like these often add up by season’s end.

This was a super road win ultimately against a team that will have a lot to say on the outcome of this division before the year is out.It is back to home turf next week with Navan to visit New Ormond Park. Kickoff is at 2.20pm on Saturday. All support would be greatly appreciated.

Team: (1-20) Mikey Doran, Dylan Murphy, Colm Skehan, Joe Coffey, Kevin O Flaherty, Rob Buckley, John Healy, Evan Murphy, Nicky Irwin, Ben Pope, Conor McMahon, Patrick Scully, Willie Coffey ©, Conor O Shaughnessy, Josh Rowland, Seán Frawley, Jack O Keefe, Kevin O Gorman, John Hayes, Charlie O Doherty

20.5: The U20.5 side continue their Donal Walsh Trophy campaign with a home tie against UL Bohemians at home on Wednesday night. This will be a good chance for Nenagh to go after their first win of the season and hopefully a good home support will turn out on the night to encourage them in their efforts. Kickoff is at 7.30pm in Lisatunny.

U10:On a cold frosty morning our excited team of Under 10s set out on their 1st tour which would also kick off their season. The journey would start at the Aviva Mini Festival of Rugby tournament in Dungarvan RFC. The journey down was full of fun and excitement. We were drawn in a challenging pool with the host club Dungarvan, Waterford City, Thurles and Shannon.The players put on a true display of togetherness and team spirit. When the games were getting tough the team rallied around each other, dug deep, tackled their hearts out, supported each other, scored and made themselves proud. Throughout all the games we were treated to a fabulous display of rugby full of great tackling, tries, team spirit and most importantly you could see everyone had big smiles on their faces at all times. We want to thank all the parents who also travelled to support and help us on the day. Their help enabled us to have a fun, memorable day. We also wish to thank Dungarvan for hosting a great tournament and being so welcoming. We look forward to playing them again down the line. We want to thank Thurles, Waterford City and Shannon for great games. We were truly treated to a special display of the heart and spirit of rugby. Well done everyone. A final note of gratitude to our bus driver for getting us there and back safely and enabling everyone to enjoy the journey.

U11: Our Under 11s welcomed Bruff and Ballina-Killaloe to Lisatunny on Sunday. On what was a crisp, sunny morning the crowd were treated to some lovely rugby from all the teams. Our lads have progressed very well at this early stage of the season, showing lovely skills and great technique at the breakdown.

Thanks to all the parents who helped with the hospitality in the clubhouse afterwards.

Training continues next Sunday with some more matches to follow. New players always welcome.

U13: The under 13’s travelled with a large squad to Limerick on Saturday to play UL Bohs with all the squad getting good game time under the belt. The game ebbed and flowed with Nenagh emerging 26-17 winners and Bohs getting a last play try.

The numbers are great and bode well for the season with bigger games to come.

Training is on Wednesday night at 7 and our next match is against Old Crescent on Sunday morning at 10.45.

U14: Nenagh Ormond under 14s made the short journey into UL Bohs on Sunday last. The game was played on Munster’s grass pitch in the university. The pitch was in immaculate condition and paved the way for an entertaining game. Nenagh were first on the score sheet with a good individual try by Aidan Ryan. He got the ball out wide, took on the defence and scored in the corner. Nenagh did not sit back and kept the momentum going. Anluan finished off a good team try. Aidan scored again, finishing off a cross field kick from Kaden. There was a further try from Anluan which was converted excellently from close to the touch line by Oisin Hogan. Nenagh conceded a sloppy try late in the first half. Their no 8 picked from back of scrum and scored in the corner untouched. The second half was a tighter affair and Nenagh were first to score, a brilliant run by Scott Powell beating numerous defenders to score on the corner. Bohs scored 2 tries, one which was of the highest quality, a chip over the top was collected and brilliantly finished. The final score was 33-19. There were 2 try saving tackles in each half, Harry Walsh chopping their big centre in open field and in second half James O’Dwyer cutting their no. 8 by the ankles with the line at his mercy. It was a good performance overall with some players trying out new positions. We have plenty to work on in training. Training continues Wednesday evening.

Split the Bucket: Well done to recent winner Séamus Brislane. Our Split the Bucket fundraiser continues to hand out a minimum of €500 in prize money each and every week. Enter for as little as €2 per week at nenaghormondrfc.com/products or access the link on any of our social media pages.

Your Club Your Country Draw: The Your Club Your Country Draw is a nationwide fundraiser run by the IRFU where all money for tickets sold within a particular club goes directly to that club. It is the main fundraiser for our club’s juvenile section for the past number of years. Tickets are available for 10 euros through our club website. There are fantastic prizes on offer with the top prize of a Summer Tour to South Africa to follow Ireland’s test series there. Log on to nenaghormondrfc.com/products to find the purchasing link. All support would be greatly appreciated as it goes directly to the running of our juvenile club.

Other Results:

U18.5: Nenagh (61)- Thurles (5) (Pan Munster League)

Fixtures:

Senior: Nenagh vs Navan. Saturday @ 2.30pm (Lisatunny)- Energia AIL

Seconds: Nenagh vs UL Bohs. Sunday @ 2.30pm. (Annacotty)

U20.5: Nenagh vs UL Bohs. Wednesday @ 7.30pm (Lisatunny)- Donal Walsh Trophy

U16: Nenagh vs Kilfeacle. Sunday @ 12.00pm (Lisatunny)- Pan Munster League

U15: Nenagh vs Newcastle West RFC. Sunday @ 11.30am (Tyone)