The Nenagh Ormond U16 team played Dolphin in the Munster cup group three game in New Ormond Park on Sunday. The day was dry and clear and conditions were probably as good as you could get in January. Dolphin started the game well and were on the attack from the off but the Nenagh boys defended well, with some excellent goal line defence and a turnover saw us clear our lines and begin to move up the pitch. After some sustained pressure we gained an attacking scrum on the 5 metre line and Fionn O’Meara was able to pick from the base and power over the live for the opening score, the conversion was narrowly wide. As often happens Nenagh did not deal well with the kick off and Dolphin were able to get a foot hold in our half and Nenagh began to concede some penalties, the big Dolphin pack were on to at this stage and after some pressure they moved the ball wide and scored wide out on the left, leaving the score at 5 all. The was some good attacking play with strong carries from Tommy Wilkinson and some good kicking by Darragh Gleeson and one 50 22 kick gave us a foothold in the Dolphin 22 and after some more sustained pressure, Luke Grey crashed over wide out to leave us 10 5 ahead after the conversion was again narrowly wide. Half time came and the match was very tight with a lot of play in the middle third. We lost a player to a yellow card and with 8 minutes to go Dolphin again got a foothold in the 22 and after a tapped penalty they scored beside the posts and the conversion left them 12 10 ahead and the pressure was back again on the home side. The Nenagh boys showed great character to compete at the kick off and win a penalty. It was kicked down the line and after winning the lineout and a couple of rucks, the referee awarded us a penalty on the 22, 10 metres from the left hand touchline. Darragh Gleeson stepped up and nailed the kick to give us a 13 12 lead with a few minutes of normal time remaining. Unfortunately, a knock on from the kick off gave Dolphin a scrum 10 metres from the line and we conceded a penalty and after a number of phases and switch back on the blind side saw the winger score wide out and the Dolphin 10 kicked and excellent conversion to leave the score at this stage 19 13 to the visitors. The Nenagh boys never gave up and ran the ball from their 22 and the Dolphin winger saw yellow for a deliberate knock on but unfortunately we lost the lineout and the last chance was gone. It was another cruel blow for this team who if it were not for bad luck would possibly not have any luck at all but as they do every week, they fought very hard to the final whistle. As the coaches told the players they are very competitive at this cup level and a few small improvements will see them back in the winners circle. Next cup match is at home to Waterpark next Sunday and training continues in Tyone on Tuesday at 7 as usual.🔴⚪️

Squad- Luke Grey, Dylan Crowe, Luke O’Callaghan, Oisin Flynn , Dan Keneally, Ethan Kennedy, Ryan Gratton, Fionn O’Meara, Oisin Moloney, Cathan Gaffeny, Darragh Gleeson, Tommy Wilkinson, Sean Hough, Daniel O’Brien, Harry Sheppard, Donnacha O’Meara, Adam Butler, Cillian Healy Injured list: Stephen Armitage , Luke Walsh, Conor Gleeson, Ciaran Leahy, Conor McGrath