Ormond head into relegation playoffs on a high

RUGBY: Energia All Ireland League Division 2A Round 18

MU Barnhall 28

Nenagh Ormond 45

Nenagh Ormond and MU Barnhall went into last Saturday’s final regular Energia League Division 2A fixture with very different tasks but with plenty on the line, nonetheless.

What followed was a contest that didn’t disappoint as both teams spared nothing in chasing their required targets.

For MU Barnhall that target was a maximum point win that with some luck in fixtures elsewhere may have seen them into a promotion playoff position.

Nenagh on the other hand already knew their fate would be a relegation playoff over two legs against Rainey Old Boys. However, to ensure the vital home advantage in the second leg of that series they would need to remain ahead of Rainey on league points, with only one point to spare over them going into this game.

If Nenagh were determined to keep their fate in their own hands the opening minute of the match did not support this fact. From the kick-off, the visitors secured possession and kicked long for space. The chase was somewhat lacklustre and without a single breakdown, some neat link play from the Barnhall counter-attack resulted in a try for left winger Sean Sexton.

Some choice words were clearly said under the posts as the next thirty minutes were all Nenagh. An attack that has threatened to cut loose several times in recent fixtures really seemed to catch fire based on a rock-solid set-piece, particularly the line-out. Tries from Conor Muldoon, David Gleeson and Derek Corcoran all showed good combinations of forward and back line strength. Fionn McGibney was in form from the boot too, converting all three tries and adding a penalty too.

Willie Coffey’s return to the 12 shirt after missing the two previous fixtures had a notable effect two, with his strength in attack and defence creating opportunities for others around him to shine.

With the tide in Nenagh’s favour it appeared almost certain the try bonus for four tries would arrive before the half time whistle. However, an accidental collision involving a player from each side led to a long delay as the Barnhall player required treatment and it was the home team who responded better after the resumption of play. A converted try for them to round out the half meant it was still game on for the second half with the score at 24- 14.

The game really became a shootout in the second half. With yellow cards and injury enforced changes for both sides the game had a hectic pace. Both sides showed ambition in attack on what must be acknowledged was a pristine surface at the Kildare club. On two separate occasions the home side narrowed the gap to three only for Nenagh to respond both times through tries from Niall O’Gorman and Peter Coman, both off the back of sustained periods of attack in the Barnhall 22.

The final score of the day was an effort from Kian O’Kelly who was very impressive and always looked a threat from the moment he was introduced.

In fact, the depth of Nenagh’s squad on show was most reassuring with the attrition of back-to-back playoff games to come. Cian Ryan started at scrum-half in place of the injured Nicky Irwin and was a thorn in the side of the Barnhall defence all day with his breaking threat.

James Meagher started at openside flanker and put in a massive shift featuring strongly on both sides of the ball. Kevin O’Gorman started in place of Kevin O’Flaherty and added a lot in terms of physicality in the tight exchanges while both James Finn and Kian O’Kelly made very positive impressions off the bench in the back three positions with the starting full back McGibney moving to ten when Derek Corcoran left the field with a nasty head wound.

All in all, it was just what the doctor ordered for Nenagh Ormond. The home second leg in the playoffs was secured, valuable minutes were clocked up for various squad players and most importantly the team goes in to the all-important relegation series with winning momentum on their side.

A week off to rehab knocks is well needed after a tough three games back-to-back over the last three weeks and then it’ll be a case of fingers and toes crossed for all supporters of the Ormond men that the team can bring the attacking flair displayed on Saturday to bear on the Rainey Old Boys fixtures over the following fortnight.

Given the dire situation this team was in pre-Christmas with nine games played and only one win and six league points to show for it where they are now is a much brighter vista. All any team can hope for in April is to have their destiny in their own hands. For Nenagh Ormond that is very much the case.

TEAMS – MU Barnhall: Rob Holt; Sean Sexton, Sean Higgins, Jack Hannon, Conor Lacey; Adam Chester, Tim Lambe; Geoff Brooks, Gareth Murray, Dan Jennings; Ryan Doyle, Ross McKean; Conor O’Brien, Nathan Veltom, Tom McKeown.

Reps used: Cathal Duff, Darragh Bellanova, Jack Horgan, Shane Rogers, Connor Duggan.

Nenagh Ormond: Fionn McGibney; David Gleeson, Patrick Scully, Willie Coffey, Peter Coman; Derek Corcoran, Cian Ryan; Fergal Brislane, Conor Muldoon, Niall O’Gorman; Kevin O’Gorman, John O’Flaherty; Evan Murphy, James Meagher, John Hayes.

Reps used: Peter O’Connor, Cathal Ryan, Rob Buckley, Kian O’Kelly, James Finn.

Referee: Robbie McGreer