Nenagh U16 34  Ennis U16 12

Nenagh saw off Ennis in the first round of the U16 Munster Conference at a blustery New Ormond Park on Sunday. Nenagh won the toss and opted to play with the aid of a strong breeze. From the off their forwards ensured that Nenagh were in control, allowing Oisin Gleeson to score two tries in quick succession. Then Nenagh had a scrum on the halfway line. A backrow move allowed Charlie Talbot to put Oscar Griffin into space and he raced clear only to be held up in the corner. The ball was recycled and moved wide to Jack Tierney who dotted down under the posts to put Nenagh 19-0 up. Nenagh continued to dominate, and they should have been further ahead, but their discipline let them down. They picked up 2 yellow cards and allowed Ennis to remain in the game and they reduced the deficit when they scored a try to leave the score 19-5 at halftime.

While Nenagh had been the much better team, Ennis now with the advantage of the wind and additional numbers threatened to take control. However, Nenagh's response in the second half was impressive. They dug deep, rolled up their sleeves, cut out the errors, dominated possession and territory and completely shut out Ennis. Total control of the breakdown allowed Nenagh to bring play up to the Ennis 22 but they were penalized for not releasing. From the penalty, Ennis kicked long but failed to find touch and James Heffernan gathered inside his own 22 and took off on a devastating run leaving several Ennis defenders in his wake. He was hauled down on the halfway line and great work from Dara Boland and Dara Meehan brought play up to the Ennis 22. With the Ennis defense scrambling the ball was moved into midfield allowing Jack Tierney to run in unopposed from the 22 and round off a fine team move. Then Ennis scored their second try to bring them back to within 2 scores again with 10 minutes remaining. Nenagh continued to cut open the Ennis defense and following another spectacular run by James Heffernan and great interplay between backs and forwards, Aaron Walsh scored Nenagh's fifty try.  Charlie Talbot kicked 3 conversions and a penalty to leave the full-time score Nenagh 34 Ennis 12, an accurate reflection of Nenagh's dominance. Next up we are away to Thurles on Friday night in round 2. Training continues every Wednesday and Friday in New Ormond Park. New players born in 2009 are always welcome.