Ormond rise to the top tier of Irish Rugby with stunning comeback win over UCC

RUGBY: Energia All-Ireland League Division 1A Promotion Playoff Final

Nenagh Ormond 36

UCC 33

Nenagh Ormond crowned a memorable season by staging a remarkable late comeback to defeat a stunned UCC in a dramatic AIL Division 1A Promotion Playoff final at a packed New Ormond Park on Saturday, sealing a historic promotion to the top tier for the first time in the club’s history, becoming the first Tipperary club to do so.

Nenagh trailed 33-22 with two minutes left but they conjured up two tries in the closing stages against a tiring UCC side, firstly a penalty try, followed by a sensational match-winner with the last play of the game and season from full back Josh Rowland, sparking jubilant scenes among the home supporters.

The students from Cork made the brighter start, forcing a penalty try with John O’Flaherty sent to the sin-bin inside five minutes.

Nenagh, however, found their rhythm midway through the half; John Healy crashed over for the hosts’ opening try on 26 minutes. Conor McMahon landed the conversion to level matters.

The visitors edged back in front shortly after with Daniel Squires converting a penalty before Nenagh hit back once again through McMahon on 35 minutes, shortly after the winger had returned from the sin-bin.

The visitors dominated territory in the first half and landed a blow on the cusp of halftime as Sean Edogbo muscled his way over for their second try, and with Squires adding the extras, the Cork side went into the break leading 17–10.

UCC carried the momentum into the second half; Squires adding three more penalties in to stretch their lead to 23–10.

Nenagh were struggling to get a foothold but any time they attacked they looked threatening with Willie Coffey playing in Josh Rowland just before the hour mark for a try, converted by Charlie O’Doherty.

UCC continued to keep the scoreboard ticking, with Daniel Squires slotting his fourth penalty to re-establish a two-score buffer.

In the warm conditions, UCC were starting to falter physically while Nenagh were gaining control and a John O’Flaherty try on seventy minutes breathed fresh life into their challenge, 26–22.

However, when UCC got a break off a Garryowen for winger Sean Condon to score in the corner, converted by Squires, the game looked done and dusted on 78 minutes.

However, what followed was remarkable. To have a chance, Nenagh needed to score quickly and yielding a penalty which they kicked to the corner, the maul forced a penalty try to narrow the deficit to 33–29 with a UCC back row Jason Aherne was sent to the sin-bin.

There was time for one more play with UCC’s kick-off claimed by Nenagh who knew they had to be perfect in everything they did, sucking in players before moving the ball wide to the ride where David Gleeson, sent back into the fray for the injured Conor McMahon, finally showed his explosive pace to break the line from where he off-loaded to Josh Rowland who had enough in the legs to run in from almost half-way to the delirium of the home support.

Charlie O’Doherty slotted the conversion to cap off Nenagh remarkable comeback and season in which they have won the Munster Senior Cup for the first time, and will now play AIL Division 1A rugby next season.

Full report and reaction in Wednesday's Nenagh Guardian