A draw which could be priceless at seasons end
Nenagh Ormond 10
Cashel 10
By Enda Treacy in New Ormond Park
Nenagh Ormond and Cashel battled to a stalemate in this latest instalment of their intense rivalry, which delivered another enthralling encounter for both sets of fans last Friday night.
Cashel had an easy win in their corresponding home fixture earlier in the season and with the west Tipp outfit fighting for automatic promotion, Nenagh came into the game as undoubted underdogs, but despite recent form, they raised their game significantly to earn what could be two valuable points.
Leading 10-0 at the break and having played some extremely accurate and disciplined rugby - both with and without the ball - Nenagh were looking good to cause an upset. But Cashel are second in the league for a good reason and Denis Leamy’s half time talk worked wonders as they gradually whittled down the Nenagh lead and will feel that the referee was more than generous to the home side throughout, with numerous calls going against them – particularly in the second half.
Jonty Rae had a late opportunity a minute from time to win it for Cashel but he buckled under pressure to send the kick to the right of the posts. However, Nenagh’s effort certainly deserved reward as they held firm, despite their discipline again collapsing when under siege from Cashel in the final twenty minutes.
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MATCH DIGEST
Man of the Match: Willie Coffey (Nenagh Ormond)
SCORERS - Nenagh Ormond: Try - J O’Flaherty Con - Ropeti Pen - Ropeti
Cashel: Try - Rqibi Con - Rae Pen - Rae
TEAMS - Nenagh Ormond: Peter Coman; Gerard O’Gorman, Willie Coffey, Patrick Scully, David Gleeson; Alex Ropeti, Nicky Irwin; Johnny Hayes, John Healy, John Coffey; Kevin O’Gorman, Kevin O’Flaherty; Anthony Grey, Evan Murphy, John O’Flaherty,
Reps: Jake O’Kelly for Grey (14); Anthony Grey for O’Kelly (26); Aidan Doyle for Hayes (32); Gavin Hayes for Doyle (61); Johnny Hayes for Murphy (64); Jake O’Kelly for G Hayes (71); Evan Murphy for Grey (76); Darragh Flannery for Scully (78).
Cashel: Jonty Rae, Eamon Connolly, Frank Kelleher, Conor Cashman, Richard Kingston, Darragh Lyons, Kevin O'Connor, Ivan Miljak, Mike Kelly, James Kendrick, Richard Moran, Keith Melbourne, Ed Leamy, Tommy Anglim, Idris Rqibi.
Reps: Mike Casey for Anglim (45); John Ed O'Connor for Kelly (76).
Referee: Leo Colgan