AIL Division 1A Round 1

(H-T Nenagh Ormond 17 UCD 7)

Belfield Bowl

Referee Sam Holt

Report by Mike McMahon

A first ever fixture between these two clubs as Nenagh Ormond travelled to a windswept UCD bowl to take on the students with hopes of a first win in division 1A of the All Ireland League.

Alas for the visitors, it was not to be as a youthful and lively college side overturned a half-time deficit to pull clear in the final quarter and win decisively.

The tail winds of storm Amy blew directly down the pitch which meant that this was always likely to be a game of two halves, with Nenagh having the significant benefit of the elements in the first period.

As anticipated, the early play was very much with Nenagh and they were ahead within 5 minutes as centre Angus Blackmore latched onto a neat inside pass from out-half Oscar Davey to cross for the game’s opening try. Conor McMahon negotiated the wind to add the extras and the visitors were off to the perfect start.

The play continued to be focused deep in UCD territory for most of the opening quarter but Nenagh failed to capitalise on a number of golden opportunities to increase their lead. Blackmore broke clear and looked sure to score but was hauled down just short and from the ensuing maul, the ball was held up over the line. Shortly afterwards, back-rower John O’Flaherty almost broke through but was penalised for a double movement.

Spirited defence by the students and a lack of accuracy and composure close to the whitewash by Nenagh meant that the game was into the second quarter by the time the newcomers added to their tally from a lineout maul try finished by hooker Dylan Murphy.

A pragmatic decision to take the points from a penalty on the half hour mark moved Nenagh 17 points clear. From the restart, however, UCD managed to engineer their one and only first half entry into the opposition 22 and they capitalised fully, mauling over for their first try – the touchdown coming from hooker Lucas Maguire. A superb conversion from the excellent Patrick Clancy brought the margin back to 10 points.

In a scrappy close to the half, there were no further scores and a strong sense was building that the momentum was now with UCD who would shortly turn with the wind at their backs.

In a confident start to the second half, UCD played enterprising rugby, spreading the ball wide at every opportunity and launching a series of attacks through their talented backline. The breakthrough came 7 minutes in when full back Charlie Molony sliced through the middle to break clear and touch down close to the posts.

Still in front but looking under pressure, Nenagh managed to work their way up field from the restart, scrum-half Luke Kerr breaking down the left wing to set up possession inside the opposition 22. Just when it seemed they would once again be frustrated close to the line, O’Flaherty managed to barge his way over to score and stretch Nenagh’s lead out to double scores once again.

Although the odds looked stacked against them, Nenagh were making a solid fist of holding on to their lead but were dealt a double blow early into the second half when both O’Flaherty and centre Willie Coffey had to leave the field through injury. Nenagh had to re-organise and were quickly under pressure once again as the home side gained a foothold close to their line. It was not long before that pressure yielded a score as UCD substitute hooker Duinn Maguire finished off another driving maul to put his side within touching distance once again.

As the game entered the final quarter, the huge defensive effort looked to be taking its toll on the visitors and UCD went into the lead when Nenagh failed to deal with a kick to the backfield and the ball broke loose to substitute Mark Canniffe, who scored in the corner much to the delight of the home fans. Clancy once again nailed the conversion and then landed a penalty from half way to send the students 9 points clear and looking in command.

When Maguire scored a carbon copy of his first try shortly afterwards, the outcome was well and truly settled and the only real prospect for Nenagh to secure anything from the game was by scoring a fourth try. 

They looked as if they might just do that right at the death as substitute Derek Corcoran orchestrated an attack down the left but the final pass was intercepted by winger Daniel Hurley who sprinted the length of the pitch to score his side’s 6th try and bring the game to a close.

Another disappointing day then for Nenagh Ormond, who remain pointless following their opening two games. The challenges don’t get any easier as they must now re-group to face an in-form Cork Constitution side who will make the journey to New Ormond Park next Saturday.

Scorers: Nenagh Ormond: Tries: Angus Blackmore, Dylan Murphy, John O’Flaherty; Con: Conor McMahon x 2; Pen: Conor McMahon
UCD: Tries: Lucas Maguire, Charlie Molony, Duinn Maguire x 2, Mark Canniffe, Daniel Hurley; Cons: Patrick Clancy x 5, Daragh Gilbourne; Pens: Patrick Clancy

NENAGH ORMOND: 15. Matt Brice, 14. Conor O’Shaughnessy, 13 Angus Blackmore, 12. Willie Coffey, 11. Conor McMahon, 10. Oscar Davey, 9. Luke Kerr, 1. Mikey Doran, 2. Dylan Murphy, 3. Darragh McSweeney, 4. Kevin Seymour, 5. Kevin O’Flaherty (c), 6. Rob Buckley, 7. John Healy, 8. John O’Flaherty.

Replacements: 16. Robbie Tynan, 17. Niall O’Gorman, 18. Fionn O’Meara, 19. Joe Coffey, 20. Nicky Irwin, 21. Derek Corcoran.

UCD: 15. Charlie Molony, 14. Daniel Hurley, 13. Tom Murtagh, 12. Daragh Gilbourne, 11. Andrew Cosgrave, 10. Patrick Clancy, 9. Thomas Quinn, 1. Tom O’Riordan, 2. Lucas Maguire, 3. Sami Bishti, 4. Donnacha McGuire, 5. Dylan McNiece, 6. Daniel Barron (c), 7. Conor Tonge, 8. Oran Handley.

Replacements: 16. Duinn Maguire, 17. Max Doyle, 18. Jack Spencer, 19. Paul Gerard, 20. Andrew O’Mahony, 21. Mark Canniffe.