Nenagh began the Munster u 18.5 campaign in perfect conditions against Ennis Black team on Sunday. Ennis have two teams in this competition and this one was the younger players, with the stronger team to come in a later round. As a result the game was truncated with the Ennis coaches calling a halt very early in the second half due to a few injuries that they suffered. This was unfortunate and didn’t really assist Nenagh, as we have a big squad this year and it is a challenge to get game time for all. We played well again in spots, the four tries were all scored by the back three, which was pleasing , Ryan Inhoff got two, Conor McGrath scored the opener and Sean Ryan scored a try with a really good finish in the first half. We were missing quite a few of the backs for this game so it was please that the guys who stepped up. There was also hard lines for Tristen Madden who looked like he would race away for an excellent try from our own half only to be stopped by a last ditch hand trip in front of the clubhouse. Cillian Ryan was excellent at lineout time, stealing a few opposition throws and Fionn O’Meara carried well from base and made good ground when in possession. Ryan Imhoff took his tries well and Conor Mc Grath ran the ball back well from full back. Sam Lancaster made a big impression off the bench and is pushing hard for a starting spot and there is some good competition now for nearly all the positions, which is encouraging. Discipline was again an issue, a yellow card at the end of the first half is something that we will need to avoid when we face stronger opposition. We have the weekend off next week, so hopefully the few injured players will be back for the next game at home to Bruff on Sunday week.

Squad

Dylan Crowe, Nickie Nie, Dylan Schweitnitz, Ivan Struzia, James Simons, Cathan Gaffney, Tristan Madden, Sean Ryan, Dan Keneally, Jack Butler, Oisin Moloney, Josh Powell, Fionn O’Meara, Cillian Ryan, Jack Meagher, Josh Morgan, Conor McGrath, Luke Walsh, Trinity Minehan, Sean Toomey, Sam Lancaster, Ryan Imhoff, Sam Cusack, Jess Robbins, Thomas Mulcahy, Diarmuid Coleman. Injured; Alex Moloney, Mason Cawley, Dylan Doris, Mikey Morgan, Darragh Gleeson, Tommy Wilkinson.