AIL Division 1A Round 4

(H-T Terenure College 14 Nenagh Ormond 12)

Lakelands

Referee: Keane Davison

Report by Mike McMahon

Player of the Match: Harrison Brewer

The wait continues for Nenagh Ormond as they fell to their fourth consecutive defeat of the season – this time at the hands of a Terenure College team who produced a devastating final quarter to win comfortably.

The trip to Dublin 6 always looked like it might be one of the toughest fixtures that Nenagh would have to face on the road. Terenure have featured prominently at the business end of the season in recent years, winning the title in 2023. They made a significant statement of intent in the off season when recruiting former All Black Carlos Spencer as head coach.

Even though they were missing a few regular starters, there was air of expectancy at Lakelands following Terenure’s excellent win away to Lansdowne in round 3. Despite playing into a stiff cold breeze in the opening period, it was actually Nenagh who started the better. They dominated possession for most of the opening quarter but were hit on the counterattack by a speedy Terenure backline who looked dangerous every time the ball went wide.

Winger Dan Martin finished off a flowing move to score the game’s opening try on 7 minutes and the hosts repeated the trick 10 minutes later when scrum-half Griffin Culver touched down after another break from deep which split the Nenagh defence.

Despite this 14 point reversal, the visitors continued to show up strongly and play most of the first half in opposition territory. They finally got their reward when substitute Joe Coffey spun out from a lineout maul to touch down in the corner. Conor McMahon was just wide with the difficult conversion but Nenagh were very much in the game.

Nenagh attacked down the right as half time approached with Willie Coffey and Kevin Seymour both coming close. Playing advantage as a penalty was awarded under the posts, Nicky Irwin went wide to Angus Blackmore and he put Conor McMahon through for his side’s second try. Now only 2 points down and turning with the wind at their backs, Nenagh had good cause for optimism in the second half.

Things did not materialize that way as almost immediately after the restart another break from deep concluded with a penalty for a high tackle and a kick to the corner by Terenure. They capitalised fully on the opportunity as they secured the lineout and drove over – the touchdown coming from hooker Max Russell.

Playing into the wind seemed to suit the home team who kept the ball in hand whenever possible, showing superb handling skills and a deft offloading game which Nenagh were finding hard to deal with. Pulling the strings at scrum half was the excellent Culver and it was not long before he broke through a gap and sent flanker Arthur Ashmore scampering under the posts for the bonus point try.

Nenagh rallied once again and had a number of chances to get themselves back into the game. A glorious opportunity from a 5 metre line-out went a begging as referee Keane Davidson called a crooked throw. Nenagh spurned another chance as they took a tap penalty close to the Terenure posts but somehow got turned over with the line at their mercy. 

With time moving on and making no headway into a 16 point deficit, Nenagh started to look a little desperate and the game became more unstructured – a development which completely suited the home team.

Terenure put the game out of reach with 15 minutes remaining when Dan Martin bagged his second try, finishing off a fine move which looked straight from the Carlos Spencer playbook. Shortly afterwards, the rout was complete when substitute Oisin McCormack barged over for his side’s 6th and final try, the successful conversion bringing their tally to 40.

With nothing to show from their first four games, Nenagh remain rooted to the bottom of division 1A but once again showed that they have the ability to compete at this level. Quite what is stopping them from putting together an 80 minute performance is something that they will have to figure out quickly as the tough games come thick and fast – starting next week away to Lansdowne.

Scorers: Nenagh Ormond: Tries: Dan Martin x 2, Griffin Culver, Max Russell, Arthur Ashmore, Oisin McCormack; Con: Aran Egan x 5.
Terenure College: Tries: Joe Coffey, Conor McMahon: Cons: Conor McMahon.

Terenure College: 15. Adam La Grue, 14. Dan Martin, 13. Ethan Reilly, 12. Caolan Dooley, 11. Craig Adams, 10. Aran Egan, 9. Griffin Culver, 1. Adam Tuite (c), 2. Max Russel, 3. Luke Rigney, 4. Sean Rigney, 5. Harrison Brewer, 6. Ben Blaney, 7. Arthur Ashmore, 8. Will Hickey.

Replacements: 16. Karl O’Brien, 17. Darragh Brennan, 18. Oisin Shannon, 19. Oisin McCormack, 20. Will Reilly, 21. John Devine.

NENAGH ORMOND: 15. Matthew Brice, 14. Conor O’Shaughnessy, 13 Angus Blackmore, 12. Willie Coffey, 11. Conor McMahon, 10. Oscar Davey, 9. Nicky Irwin (c), 1. Mikey Doran, 2. Mateo Santous, 3. Roman Salanoa, 4. Kevin Seymour, 5. Jake O’Kelly, 6. Rob Buckley, 7. Evan Murphy, 8. John O’Flaherty.

Replacements: 16. Dylan Murphy, 17. Matthew Burke, 18. Sean Frawley, 19. Joe Coffey, 20. Luke Kerr, 21. Derek Corcoran.