Ormond Seconds win Mansergh Cup

Nenagh Ormond Seconds defeated Kilfeacle 48-39 in a highly entertaining Mansergh Cup final last Tuesday (9th April).

The final scoreline was reflective of a game that was full of open play from the start and was very much in the balance until Nenagh scored their seventh and final try with the last play of the match.

This fixture was switched from its usual venue at Clanwilliam RFC to facilitate a move from Sunday to Tuesday at the request of Kilfeacle.

Conditions were excellent and the game was keenly contested from the start. Second rower James Meagher was first to cross the whitewash within the opening five minutes and shortly afterwards Nenagh went further in front when Davy Gleeson finished off a flowing move to touch down in the corner.

The Kilfeacle maul looked dangerous throughout, and they powered over twice in the first half to close the score difference until Nenagh out-half Derek Corcoran came up with a brilliant steal and break to put his side 19-10 in front at half-time.

The ebbs and flows continued in the second half as Kilfeacle got close again with a penalty and another maul try only for Nenagh to press ahead again with an excellent try from Brian O’Rourke following a break by Patrick Scully.

A yellow card for Kilfeacle and two tries in quick succession from Rob Buckley and Evan Fitzpatrick then saw Nenagh go into what looked like an unassailable 40-20 lead.

As the home side began to unload their bench however, Kilfeacle sensed an opportunity and began to get their backline moving, scoring two excellent tries to bring the margin back to just six points with plenty of time remaining.

Nenagh stretched the lead out to two scores with a Fitzpatrick penalty, but Kilfeacle responded once again and scored their sixth try to bring the game right to the wire.

With Kilfeacle out on their feet and barely seconds remaining, Nenagh finally secured the victory when Davy Gleeson rounded a broken defense to score his side’s seventh try.

Not having won this trophy since turning senior in 2004, this was a great achievement for the club and due reward for a group of players who have trained diligently all season and missed out narrowly in the recent Munster Junior Cup quarter final with Thomond.

Nenagh Ormond: Evan Fitzpatrick; Davy Gleeson, Brian O’Rourke, Patrick Scully, Kian O’Kelly; Derek Corcoran, Cian Ryan; Ivan Struzia, Jack Devanny, Niall O’Gorman; James Meagher, Kevin O’Gorman; Rob Buckley, Robbie Tynan, John Brislane,

Reps: Shane Malone, Padraic Bourke, Sean Frawley, Cillian Ryan, Luke Conneally, Luke Graham, Conor McGrath.

Kilfeacle: Killian Noonan; Michael McCormack, Jacques van Wyngaardt, Muiri Lamb, Shane Farrell; Luke Hueston, Gavin Hueston; Richard Whitney, Brendan Barron, Simon Barry; Bob Purcell, Cormac Ryan; Beau Walker, Brian Barlow, Kevin Kinane.

Reps: Brian Barron, Daniel Lambe, Ben White, Robert Noonan, Darren Lowry.

Referee: Mike Scanlon.