There has been so much achieved by Nenagh Ormond since graduating to Senior Rugby ranks all the the way back in 2005. Being the first Tipperary side to do so has been and always will be an honour that cannot be taken away from the club. There was however one stubborn asterisk that many Senior squads who have lined out in the Ormond colours would rather was not attached to their names in the seasons since then. Cashel followed Nenagh into Senior rugby in 2011 initiating a rivalry that had previously been quite keen in Junior rugby. Despite Nenagh’s trailblazing in making it to senior first, there has been no doubting who has had the bragging rights between the sides since the first Tipperary derby in AIL rugby back in 2012. Nenagh’s only joy in the fixture came on home turf in 2016. A few draws and one score losses aside every other tie was utterly fruitless for Nenagh and Spafield has been an absolute fortress for the South Tipp men.

It was in that context that Nenagh went to Cashel last Friday night in search of a win that would both guarantee them a minimum of a top 4 playoff spot and end Cashel’s hopes of one for this season. While Nenagh’s recent form line was most certainly stronger, history suggested this would be a nigh on impossible ask in this ground. Throw in atrociously wet conditions and the size of the task only grew.

The outcome however will live long in the memory for the many hardy Nenagh souls who braved the nasty conditions to cheer on the Nenagh team on the night though. A great start and early lead later turned into a ten point deficit but this team is made of strong mental stuff. Two late tries against a visibly tiring home outfit ended the long running hoodoo and for once left the North Tipp outfit on the right side of this derby. With two games remaining in this year's Energia AIL Nenagh will at the very least have a shot at promotion to Division 1B through the playoffs and may even make the automatic first spot should Queens or Blackrock slip up over those remaining games. Either way the run in to the season will be gripping. The next part of that journey will be against fellow promotion chasers Barnhall in Parsonstown, Leixlip this Saturday at 2.30pm. All travelling support would be much appreciated as always.