Under 16 Munster Cup

Clonakilty 27-24 Nenagh Ormond

Nenagh Ormond Under 16s started their Munster Cup campaign on Saturday last away to Clonakilty. Despite the long bus journey it was clear from the warm up that the Nenagh lads were focused and really up for this match.

The match was played at a frantic pace from the moment that Clonakilty caught the kick off. The home side retained the ball well and when they got inside Nenagh’s 22 they made excellent ground through their forwards, eventually driving over the line. The try was converted and they went 7 points ahead.

Nenagh fought hard after that and won a penalty just inside the Clonakilty half which they tapped quickly. Outside centre Aaron Delahunty made good ground before popping the ball inside to Eoghan Tighe who beat several defenders to score. James Finn converted to even things up.

Nenagh pushed on from there with another good try which began when Tom Kennedy caught the kick off and the ball went through the hands to Delahunty who broke up the pitch. This time he popped the ball up to Sean Fitzgerald who was stopped just short of the line. Second row Darragh Tucker was on hand to pick and drive over and Finn slotted the conversion.

A Clonakilty try went unconverted to leave Nenagh two points ahead before a lineout gave the backs good ball and James Finn raced over for Nenagh’s third try to put the visitors ahead 19-12. However, Clonakilty came back and scored two good tries before half time to go ahead by 24 points to 19 at the break.

After a first half of back and forth, the Nenagh lads caught their breath at half time and came out in the second half with renewed determination. When Kieran Tinkler got the ball on the wing he stepped back inside and broke to inside the Clonakilty 22 before popping the ball to John Brislane. Nenagh recycled quickly and after a couple of phases James Finn drew the defender and passed to Eoghan Tighe who scored his second try of the match.

At 24-all and with both teams so evenly matched all the way through, it became a tense affair but neither team left anything on the pitch with every player working hard till the final whistle. A kickable penalty at the end of the third quarter was the difference in the end and, despite throwing everything at Clonakilty, Nenagh just couldn’t break through.

Next up for our Under 16s are Douglas-Carrigaline at home next Sunday. Training on Tuesday and Friday at 7pm in Tyone.

Team: Liam Cooney, Tomas Byrne, Aaron Delahunty, James Finn, Adam Cleere, Adam Steed, Andrew Ferris, Christian Storey, Sean Fitzgerald, Paddy Ryan, Darragh Tucker, Tom Kennedy, Eoghan Tighe (c), John Brislane, Tom Lillis. Reps: Cormac Kennedy, Jack Gleeson, Arainn O’Sullivan, Josh Moloney, Kieran Tinkler, Aidan Fogarty, Evan Rainsford, Luke Graham.