Venue: Ollie Campbell Park

Scorers: Old Belvedere: Tries: Kale Thatcher, Jack Dunne, Jack Keating, Peter O’Beirne; Cons: David Wilkinson 4; Pens: David Wilkinson 2
Nenagh Ormond: Tries: Davey Gleeson 2, Angus Blackmore; Cons: Conor McMahon 2; Pen: Conor McMahon
HT: Old Belvedere 21 Nenagh Ormond 10

Referee: Stuart Douglas

Report by Mike McMahon

Old Belvedere confirmed their status as champions of Division 1B of the Energia All-Ireland league in front of their home fans following a convincing 34-22 defeat of second placed Nenagh Ormond – and they did so with 3 rounds of games still left to play.  In finishing top, the Dublin 4 outfit also ensured that they will compete in Division 1A next season for the first time since the 2016/17 season. Despite this defeat, results elsewhere meant that Nenagh remain in second place with their promotion play-off hopes still very much alive.

Conditions were perfect at Ollie Campbell Park for this much awaited top of the table clash and the man himself was prominent in welcoming many of the large crowd and the over 200 people who sat down for the pre-match lunch.  Old Belvedere President Paul Dowling embodied the sense of excited anticipation within the club as they hoped to seal promotion with a bonus point win over their nearest challengers. Having seen their rivals defeat topflight opposition in Young Munster the previous week in the Munster Senior Cup semi-final, the home supporters were not taking anything for granted in this game.

When the two sides met back in October, the Dubliners came away from New Ormond Park with a one point win secured by a last-minute Sam Wisniewski penalty. With the out-half presently on Ireland under 20 duty, the number 10 shirt was ably filled on this occasion by the experienced David Wilkinson.

It took the home side only 2 minutes to get off the mark. Attacking down the right from a scrum, they were just held up short in the corner but successfully recycled for powerful second rower Kale Thatcher to barge over for the opening try, converted by Wilkinson.  Belvedere continued to dominate the opening exchanges and went further ahead on 14 minutes when lively scrum half Jack Dunne darted over for their second try, once again converted by Wilkinson to give his side an early 14-0 lead.

After a difficult opening quarter, Nenagh began to get to grips with the pace of the game and threatened the Belvedere line on a couple of occasions only to be held out by a stubborn home defence. Eventually the visitors took the pragmatic decision to get on the scoreboard through a straightforward Conor McMahon penalty on the half-hour mark.  A frantic end to the first half produced excellent tries from both sides. An expansive backline move by Belvedere sent winger Jack Keating over in the corner but Nenagh responded immediately with a try of their own as winger Davy Gleeson touched down at the other end. With both conversions successful, the half time score stood at 21-10 to the home side.

The second half was a much more evenly contested affair but a couple of excellent long- range penalties kept the scoreboard ticking over in favour of the home side. Nenagh began to empty their bench early in an effort to change the flow of the game, with player/coach Derek Corcoran entering the fray at out-half.  The changes certainly made a difference and the visitors began to look more dangerous in attack. A line break from replacement flanker Evan Murphy led to good field position from which centre Angus Blackmore spotted a gap in the defence to dart in for a try under the posts. Entering the final quarter and now just 10 points down, Nenagh were certainly in with a shout of a big finish to deny Belvedere and put the home celebrations on hold. 

Perhaps in keeping with the day however, it was the Southsiders who produced the moment of the game as captain Calum Dowling latched onto an overthrow and made 30 metres before releasing Peter O’Beirne down the left touchline for a superb try in the corner. Clinching the bonus point for the home team, this score pretty much put the outcome beyond doubt and the conversion from Wilkinson put them 17 points clear.  There was a late consolation for Nenagh as Davy Gleeson grabbed his second try on the stroke of full time but it was Old Belvedere who held out for a deserved win, sparking celebrations which undoubtedly went on into the night as the club confirmed its return to the top flight next season.

OLD BELVEDERE: Joe White, Jack Keating, Jayden Beckett, Justin Leonard, Andre Ryan, David Wilkinson, Jack Dunne, Hugh Flood, Calum Dowling (c), Ryan McMahon, Kale Thatcher, Eddie Rees, Paddy Dowling, Anthony Ryan, Josh Ericson.

Replacements: Luke McLaughlin, Adam Howard, James Ruddy, Tom Mulcair, Peter O’Beirne, Ariel Robles.

NENAGH ORMOND: Josh Rowland, Davey Gleeson, Conor McMahon, Angus Blackmore, Conor O’Shaughnessy, Ben Pope, Charlie O’Doherty, Mikey Doran, Dylan Murphy, Matthew Burke, Jake O’Kelly, Kevin O’Flaherty (c), Rob Buckley, John Healy, John O’Flaherty.

Replacements: Shane Maloney, Jack O’Keeffe, Joe Coffey, Evan Murphy, Nicky Irwin, Derek Corcoran.