Nenagh Ormond 24

UL Bohemians 22

Nenagh Ormond RFC U 15 entertained UL Bohemians in the penultimate conference league match last Sunday in Lisatunney. Conditions were excellent despite the weekend rain and the day was set fair for an entertaining game. Nenagh had played the same side away in the reverse fixture and were missing some of the stronger players who were required by the U16’s on the day. The understrength team fought gamely on the day but shipped a heavy defeat. Will the full squad available there was a feeling that redemption was on the cards and with a squad of 26 players available and who all got game time, the Nenagh boys did not disappoint. Bohs started stronger as Nenagh gave away a few early penalties and despite some good defence at times the Bohs no 9 crashed over from close range to give them a 5 0 lead. The Nenagh boys fought back up the field and there were some goods passages of handling, especially pleasing to the coaches was the way the passing improved this week and we got the ball to the wings to stretch the defence and retain possession to attack again. Some excellent play by the hard working forwards led to a close in try by scrum half Alex Maloney, who had an excellent game. Joseph Gleeson popped over the conversion and Nenagh led by 7 points to 5. Nenagh were strong in the set piece and there was dominance in the line outs by Paddy Griffen and Tadhg O’Brien, who has turned into an excellent lineout jumper. Some excellent passing by the backs and strong running by Jack O’Flaherty, Sean O’Callaghan and Adam Hall kept Bohs on the back foot and following an excellent period of continuity Joe Shanahan burst over the line close to the posts and the try was again converted by Joseph Gleeson. Joe has another try disallowed for a double movement, although it appeared he was not held but Nenagh were full value for their lead of 14 points to 5 at half time. Bohs strengthened their side in the second half and a good tussle ensued. There was some top class scrummaging by Nenagh, they took three against the head in the second half, a feather in the cap for hooker Sam O’Brien, who had an industrious game as always. As the many substitutes took to the field Nenagh maintained their good standard and following a period of pressure on the Bohs line Joe Shanahan took a ball from a tap penalty and crashed over near the corner flag at the Nenagh end of the ground, the difficult conversion was missed. From a long kick downfield Bohs got a penalty and took a quick tap and the Nenagh boys were not very alert and Bohs scored wide out, but crucially the conversion was missed. From the kick off the large Bohs number 8 made a storming run well into the Nenagh half and a few possessions the had a scrum in the Nenagh 22. The big number 8, a nephew of the great Paul O’Connell, picked from the base and was too strong for the home defence, crucially again the conversion was missed. Nenagh did not let their heads drop and some excellent play saw a pass to John O’Donovan on the left wing and he scorched over to score far out on the left again, leaving the score Nenagh 24 Ul Bohs 15 with 10 minutes to go. Bohs had their tails up and with all the substitutions having been made to give all 26 players a run, Bohs scored wide out on the right on the clubhouse side. They kick and exceptional conversion to leave a two points game with 5 minutes left. Nenagh defended well and everyone played their part, Bohs kicked a ball maybe they should have held on to and the ball went into touch in the Nenagh 22. The throw was claimed cleanly by Tadhg O’Brien who stepped back and slammed the ball into touch to give Nenagh an excellent victory. All the players played their part but the set piece dominance of the forward in both scrums and lineout really set the platform for the victory. With exams next week the players are now finished until after Christmas and they can look forward to the break in good spirts after a victory against the previous unbeaten league leaders. The is one refixed league match to be played after Christmas away against Newcastle West.

Team Calum Simons, Sam O’Brien, Joe Shanahan, Paddy Griffen, Nathan Ryan, Tadhg Obrien, Mikey Doyle, Luke Conneally, Alex Maloney, Joseph Gleeson, Alex Morrissey, Joseph Coffey, Jack OFlaherty, Sean O’Callaghan, Adam Hall, Sean Moylan, Sean T Ryan, Luke Nolan, Jack Butler, Shane Stanley, Aaron Collins, James Simons, Joe Kyne, John Donovan, Donagh McSherry, Justin Dimitru,