Ormond melted in second half by Cork Con

RUGBY: Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup Group 1 Round 2

Cork Constitution 28

Nenagh Ormond 11

Nenagh Ormond are unlikely to reach a second consecutive Munster Senior Cup final after falling to a powerful Cork Constitution side in the second round at a sultry Temple Hill on Sunday.

The Cork side are second only to Garryowen in the roll of honour in this competition with a massive thirty titles to their credit, not to mention six wins in the top flight of the All-Ireland League. Needless to say, this would be a tough ask for the Ormond men.

Tough asks are something this squad have continuously risen to however in recent times and for the majority of this game the home side were made to well and truly sweat about the outcome.

In a closely fought opening half, Con’ led 11-8 at half time with a try from Max Abbott and a penalty each by James Taylor and George Coomber.

Kevin O’Gorman gave Nenagh an early lead with a try and Ben Pope kicked a penalty in the opening half.

After the break tries, the division 1 side turned the screw, and tries by Abbott, Jack Kelleher and Alessandro Heaney saw them pull clear with James Taylor converting one.

Nenagh’s only points in the second half came from a Conor McMahon penalty,

Nenagh for their part manufactured probably just as many chances and should have been closer in the finish but a little inaccuracy in the lineout in particular ultimately saw them struggle to finish enough opportunities. Credit on the other hand must go to the Cork men for their efficiency in the red zone and with two wins from two it is they who now control the outcome of this group.

A home tie for Nenagh with Highfield sees a repeat of last year’s cup semi-final in Lisatunny next Saturday at 2.30pm. A win for Nenagh would leave them in the hunt for a semi-final spot should Shannon manage to turn over Cork Con in their final game. With both of those sides having one eye on the start of their Division 1A campaigns on the horizon this group might have a twist in it yet.

Nenagh Ormond: Charlie O’Doherty; Conor O’Shaughnessy, Willie Coffey, Patrick Scully, Josh Rowland; Ben Pope, Nicky Irwin; Sean Frawley, John Healy, Jack O’Keeffe; Kevin O’Gorman, Kevin O’Gorman; Jake O’Kelly, Evan Murphy, John O’Flaherty. Reps: Dylan Murphy, Mikey Doran, Cathal Ryan, Joe Coffey, Rob Buckley, Conor McMahon, James Finn.