U16 North Munster Cup

Nenagh Ormond Under 16s welcomed St. Senan’s to New Ormond Park on Sunday last for the Quarter Final of the North Munster Cup. After spending the past few months travelling around the province, both teams were looking forward to becoming reacquainted with familiar opposition and the dry, sunny day made conditions perfect.

The opening quarter saw the visitors giving Nenagh plenty to deal with in defence as they made the most of the weather, getting the ball to their outside backs and getting outside Nenagh on several occasions. Indeed, only the outstanding tackling of fullback Liam Cooney saved Nenagh from conceding early on. However, as the centre pairing of Tomás Byrne and Adam Cleere settled in they, along with outhalf Adam Steed, began to work well together, putting pressure on St. Senan’s and preventing them from getting the ball out.

Nenagh’s handling was good and they created a few opportunities in this opening period, eventually getting their reward when Kieran Tinkler went over in the corner for a 5-0 lead. Five minutes later, after some good carries in tight brought Nenagh into the Senan’s half, Adam Cleere broke through the defence for Nenagh’s second score. However, a few minutes before the break, St. Senan’s put some very good phases together culminating in a try which left the half time score at 10-5.

Nenagh began the second half well and St. Senan’s defended wave after wave of attack, impressively keeping their shape and putting their bodies on the line. The pressure eventually told though and when Christian Storey made a half-break, Jack Gleeson ran a hard, straight line on his shoulder, took the pop and broke into the Senan’s 22. A quick ruck allowed Andrew Ferris to flash the ball out to Adam Cleere for his second try and a 15-5 lead. Nenagh kept the gas on and scored twice again through Darragh Tucker and Luke Conneally with Adam Steed also adding a conversion. However, St. Senan’s never gave up spending the final minutes of the game on the attack and they were unlucky not to score before the end.

Our Under 16s travel to Newcastle West next for the North Munster Cup semi-final.

Team: Liam Cooney, Luke Graham, Adam Cleere, Tomas Byrne, Kieran Tinkler, Adam Steed, Andrew Ferris, Jack Gleeson, Sean Fitzgerald, Arainn O’Sullivan, Paddy Ryan, Christian Storey, Cormac Kennedy, John Brislane (c), Tom Lillis. Reps: Luke Conneally, Joe Shanahan, Darragh Tucker, Jack O’Flaherty.