Defeat dashes AIL promotion dreams as Clonmel go down in Midleton

ALL IRELAND LEAGUE DIVISION 2C

MIDLETON 24 CLONMEL 13

The 2022/23 season ground to a disappointing finish for Clonmel RFC on Saturday last with this loss away to Midleton, which knocked them out of fourth place in the table, and out of the play-offs for promotion.

Both sides had much to play for as Midleton needed a bonus point win to draw clear of the drop zone. Clonmel had enough possession and territorial advantage to win, and so are right to feel disappointed with this result, but they lacked the composure and accuracy to get the necessary scores when they dominated play. However the silver lining is in the very valuable experience gained by several young and developing players at this level.

The rain cleared just in time for Midleton to kick-off with the breeze, but up the hill. The early exchanges set a pattern that would last for much of the game, with the Clonmel forwards having the edge at scrum and very secure at line-out. The visitors attacked through forwards Diarmuid Brannock, Diarmaid Devaney, and Jason Monua linking with Andrew Daly and Luke Hogan. Early pressure was rewarded when debutant 10, Josef O’Conor, showed the required poise to convert a penalty after 7 minutes. However this was more than cancelled by a try for Midleton, which was converted after 12 minutes, for a score of 7- 3 to the home side.

Clonmel then had a period of dominance, but the attack was narrow and the Corkmen’s defence was solid. A couple of penalties had Clonmel in retreat; caught for not retreating on a quick tap, the home side kicked another three points on 27 minutes. Relentless Midleton attack ensued with home prop Mark Corby - a former Clonmel player with proud family connections to the Ard Gaoithe club - held up over the line. Back rows Devaney and Tom O’Dea then lead a breakout. When a penalty for a high tackle was awarded, O’Conor extracted maximum distance from the kick. The line-out was secure, O’Conor picked his man, Luke Hogan broke the tackle and strode in under the posts to continue his fine scoring form. This left the game poised at 10-10 at half time.

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This high stakes and gripping contest continued into the second half. Ross Slattery made a try saving tackle on an early Midleton assault, then Midleton prop Mark Corby came close but was jackaled for a turnover. When Clonmel fought their way out of defence O’Conor stepped forward to kick a long range penalty on 55 minutes to put the visitors in the lead 13-10. Midleton secured the restart and attacked at pace through forwards and backs; the Clonmel defence began to creak. The home side had an penalty advantage for offside when Hogan was yellow carded for not releasing. The tapped penalty was driven over the line under the posts and converted for Midleton to lead 17-13.

The visitors responded well with solid set pieces providing quality ball. Again Daly, Monua, Devaney and Brannock carried the ball with purpose, but mostly close in. A lovely flat pass from O’Conor to McEntegart on the left was threatening, but the move ended in a knock-on. A well placed kick by Hogan brought Clonmel to within 10m, however the home defence was solid. Then Midleton broke out on the right to go from goal line to goal line and score in the corner.

The successful conversion was the last score, with just a couple of yellow cards to polish off the day’s entertainment.

Clonmel Squad: Brandon Delicato, Jason Monua, D.J. Brannock, Tony Cantwell, Diarmuid Brannock, Tom O’Dea, Diarmuid Devaney, Brian O’Dea, Alex Sheehan, Josef O’Conor, Sean McEntegart, Andrew Daly, Luke Hogan, Dean Slattery, Ross Slattery, Mattie O’Toole, Tim Nugent, Jack Lonergan, Conor Bowen, Aidan Hickey.