Away draw gains precious points for Ormond

RUGBY: Energia All Ireland League Division 2A Round 2

 

Ballymena 26

Nenagh Ormond 26

 

Report: Brian Geraghty at Eaton Park

 

MATCH DIGEST

Man of the Match: Josh Rowland (Nenagh Ormond)

SCORERS - Ballymena: Tries: Stronge, Miller (2) Ferguson Cons: Miller (3)

Nenagh Ormond: Tries: Coman, Rowland (2), Healy. Cons: Stewart (3)

 

Nenagh Ormond made the long journey to North Antrim worthwhile last Saturday as they claimed a draw to maintain their unbeaten start to the All Ireland League season.

While Nenagh had a longstanding fixture in the past with neighbouring junior club Ballymoney, this was the first ever fixture between Nenagh & Ballymena.

Ballymena were once a power in Ulster, and indeed Irish club rugby, but have slipped down the divisions, most recently last season when they were relegated from Division 1B. They are now in a rebuilding phase with a young team. The club has produced Irish & Lions legends Willie John McBride and Syd Millar and in more recent times Irish internationals Trevor Ringland, David Humphries, Paddy Wallace and Andrew Trimble.

Nenagh’s pack was unchanged from the win over Rainey but there was one change in the backline with Ger O’Gorman replacing the injured Conor O’Brien, whose goal-kicking in that match was instrumental in that second-half revival.

Weather conditions were perfect for rugby with pleasant autumn sunshine and little or no wind, and the sizeable attendance were treated to an entertaining match which yielded eight tries, and neither team could be separated at the end with the match finishing at level scores after a pulsating finish.

 

 

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