Senior Friendly

Nenagh Ormond 38 Bruff 31

After both teams made an early exit from the Munster Senior Cup the previous weekend, Nenagh & Bruff played an entertaining friendly at Lisatunny last Saturday. There were 11 tries scored in total with the home side just edging it in the try stakes by 6 tries to 5. As one would expect in such a game, both teams ran the ball at every opportunity and there were intercept tries and scores from long-distance. All scores were from tries and conversions with no converted penalty opportunity indicating both team’s willingness to play an open game.

There were a couple of changes in the back-line as Nenagh introduced Willie Coffey & David Gleeson who had not featured in the Bohs game last week. Other changes in the pack were Jake O’ Kelly moving to the second-row and Jack O’Keefe joining Evan Murphy in the back-row.

Nenagh were quickly in their stride and by the first quarter were 14-5 up having scored tries through John O’Flaherty & Ger O ‘Gorman. By half time Nenagh had further extended their advantage when an attempted clearance by Bruff was pounced on in the corner to leave Nenagh with a decent lead of 19-5 at the break.

Bruff responded straight from the restart with 2 tries in quick succession to leave the score at 19-17 with just 5 minutes gone in the new period, and the game was very much in the balance. Nenagh scored two more tries through Peter Coman and Evan Murphy. The pick of these was an intercept try by full-back Peter Coman when he cleverly latched on to a loose Bruff pass and sprinted 70 m to score under the posts.

Both teams used the opportunity to use their full benches with all players getting a run

Bruff again responded and they scored the final try on 78 minutes to leave the final score at 38-31 in favour of Nenagh.

Following the disappointment of the previous week, it was a worthwhile exercise to get back playing again and the coaching staff will be glad of the opportunity to have players coming back and also giving game time to the younger players on the panel. Thanks to Bruff who made the journey to fulfil the fixture.

Nenagh Ormond: Peter Coman, Ger O’Gorman, Patrick Scully, Willie Coffey, David Gleeson, Fionn McGibney, Nicky Irwin, Paudie Bourke, Dylan Murphy, Niall O’ Gorman, Jake O’Kelly, Kevin O’Flaherty, Jack O’Keefe, Evan Murphy, John O’Flaherty (Capt)

Subs: John Kelly, Fergal Brislane, Cathal Ryan, Kevin O’Gorman, Kyle Cahir, Peter Rainsford, Colm Moylan

Mansergh Cup 1st Round

Nenagh Ormond Senior Seconds squad travelled south last Sunday to take on Clonmel in the Mansergh Cup and scored six tries in a decisive but nevertheless hard-earned win over their county rivals.

On a beautiful day for rugby, Nenagh started much the better and went ahead when full-back Colm Moylan broke from deep to score a fine solo try after only 5 minutes. Playing with a significant breeze, Nenagh built on their good start and dominated the opening quarter. A penalty try after 14 minutes brought the score to 12-0 and even though the home team pulled back 3 points through a penalty, Nenagh continued to press, dominating the forward exchanges.

As the first quarter came to a close, Nenagh’s excellent wing forward Andrew Hodgins finished off a fine forwards drive to score under the posts and 2 minutes later, the visitors scored their 4th try after a well worked lineout close to the Clonmel line released prop Niall O’Gorman to touch down.

Although Clonmel were working from limited possession, they began to run at Nenagh and eventually fashioned a try in the left hand corner to pull back 7 points with half time approaching. Nenagh were not done yet though and when stand-in winger Rory McCarthy received the ball 30 meters out, he beat off 3 defenders to score in the corner, leaving the half-time score at 31-10

Clonmel scored immediately from the restart and now playing with the prevailing breeze now at their backs, began to hold out hopes for a comeback. A spirited defensive performance from Nenagh however held Clonmel at bay in the early stages of the half and when Aidan Doyle scored from a driving maul to increase the margin to 19 points, the result was effectively sealed.

With the first IV squad defeating Bruff the previous day, this victory capped off a good weekend for the club and Nenagh will now face Galbally next Sunday (20th) in Lisatunny, with a place in the Mansergh cup final on the line.

Nenagh: Niall O’Gorman, Aidan Doyle, Cathal Ryan, Mark Armitage, Kevin O’Gorman, James Meagher, Cathal Ryan, Andrew Hodgins, Peter Rainsford, Dan Molamphy, Ben Armitage, Conor McMahon, Paddy Finn, Rory McCarthy, Colm Moylan. Rep: Brian Keating