Nenagh Ormond 26 Newcastle West 24

Nenagh U15 played their first home league match of the season in Lisatunney on Sunday. The day was bright and the pitch was firm and the contest was against a team that we had not beaten over the previous meetings in the past few years, albeit those games were all away in Newcastlewest. Nenagh started well and good defensive pressure from Alex Morrissey allowed him to grab a loose ball and sprint away to score under the posts, Joseph Gleeson converted for a 7 0 lead. The half was cut and thrust and Nenagh conceded three tries, one just before half time from a penalty near the line, one of which was converted. Adam Hall in his first game for a number of years covered well at full back and made a couple of excellent last ditch tackles. Despite the score line Nenagh had competed well and were a bit unlucky to be 17- 7 down. The second half saw an excellent come back, which showed great character from the whole squad of 23 who all saw game time. The forwards took the charge with some bullocking runs from joe Shanahan and Paddy Griffen. Nenagh were on top in the scrums and won a few strikes against the head, a dying art, by Sam Obrien and more than broke even in the lineouts. The comeback began when Joseph Coffey sprinted away to score, again converted by Joseph Gleeson. Some great running by Mickey Doyle, James Simons and Luke Conneally kept Nenagh in the game and the pressure told when a break by Nathan Ryan gain a foothold in the West half and a over lap open for Adam Hall to spirit through for another try. Joseph kicked the conversion and Nenagh tails were up. More strong counter attacking by Joseph Coffey led to a penalty near the Newcastlewest line and a quick tap saw James Simons burst over for his first try in Nenagh colours. The difficult conversion into the wind was struck well but came up short. Nenagh were now 26 -17 ahead and were making full use of the squad, with a debut for Donagh McSherry. Newcastlewest never gave up and when the scrum half switched direction from an attacking scrum, Nenagh were caught short and their speeding winger bagged his second of the game to run around under the posts to make the conversion a formality. Nenagh had to defend hard for the past few minutes with the score at 26-24 to the local men but to a man they tackled and competed and Joe Shanahan won a turnover and kicked the ball far into the car park to bring an exciting game to a close. Many thanks to Enda Murphy who reffed the game and did a very good job. Lots to work on for the boys in training that continues Tuesdays and Fridays at 7pm in Tyone. Special mention also to Jack Butler who also made his Nenagh debut on the day.

Squad : Mateli Halmagne, Sam O’Brien, Joe Shanahan, Paddy Griffen, Ciaran Carey, Tadhg O’Brien, Mikey Doyle, Luke Conneally, Alex Maloney, Joseph Gleeson, Alex Maloney, Joseph Coffey, Jack O’Flaherty, Sean O’Callaghan, Adam Hall, Luke Nolan, Sean T Ryan, Shane Stanley, Sean Moylan, Aaron Collins, James Simons, Jack Butler, Donagh McSherry, Nathan Ryan, Joe Kyne. Injured; Calum Simons, John Donovan.