Clonmel bonus point victory wraps up a clean sweep of AIL wins for Tipperary teams

All-Ireland League Division 2C

CLONMEL RFC 37 OMAGH ACCIES 21

Clonmel’s first XV rugby team got back to winning ways on Saturday last with a convincing 37-21, bonus point win at home to Omagh Accies in round 5 of division 2C of the All-Ireland League. The win moves the Clonmel side up to sixth place on the table on 10 points, with two wins from 5 games.

Conditions were ideal for rugby with bright and crisp autumnal weather helping to attract a good home support to the fixture. One felt this was a must-win game for Clonmel after the heavy defeat the previous weekend up north to Clogher Valley. While it was still relatively early in the 18-game league going into the fixture, the consensus was that Clonmel need to win their home games to remain competitive.

And it was Clonmel that got off to a blistering start with immediate pressure piled onto the visitors that resulted in the game’s opening try within two minutes when Ben Everard, making his first start for the team, crossed the line after a superb break to register the opening five points. The conversion followed and Joey O’Connor obliged to put the home side 7-0 up.
A missed penalty for Omagh followed before another fine drive by Clonmel saw Conor Hogan cross the fine for the game’s second try. O’Connor added the points and Clonmel went 14-0 up on 13 minutes.

Omagh upped their game in response and despite valiant efforts by Clonmel’s defensive line a penalty try was awarded by the referee, a Clonmel player was sent to the bin and the lead was halved to 14-7. With only 18 minutes on the clock, the game was being played at a terrific pace.

A 15-minute passage of play ensued with end-to-end rugby when a brilliant, near length-of-the-field kick-chase play by Brian O’Dea yielded Clonmel’s third try on 35 minutes, which once again Joey O’Connor converted. Clonmel led 21-7.
As the clock ticked towards half time, full back Conor Hogan was on the end of another terrific Clonmel attack and despite significant defensive efforts by Omagh, Hogan touched down for the fourth and bonus point try. O’Connor duly dispatched the conversion and the teams went to the break with Clonmel 28-7 up and the local supporters appreciative of a solid opening half performance by the Clonmel men.

Andrew Daly making hard yards for Clonmel in their AIL win over Omagh Accies at Ard Gaoithe on Saturday last. Pic: Paul Condon

The second half opened with equal ferocity to the first and an early penalty to Clonmel llowed O’Connor’s superb kicking, to add another three points, to extend the Clonmel lead to 31-7 on 44 minutes.

However, 10 minutes later, with Omagh piling on the pressure on the Clonmel try line, the home side conceded a second penalty try, with yet again a Clonmel player being shown yellow by the referee. It was 31-14 on 56 minutes. O’Connor added another penalty to make it 34-14 on 63 minutes.

Omagh dug in again and once more were on the Clonmel line and pushed over in the corner to score their third try. With a well-taken conversion, it was now 34-21 in the closing minutes. One more Clonmel penalty yielded a final three points and Clonmel took the honours 37-21.

This was a much-needed result after the two previous defeats and while there is continued focus needed on the set-pieces, the scrum and the lineouts, the positive takeaways from the game offer much for the players and coaches to build on.
The team is on the road again this Saturday, heading west to Ballina, currently sitting in ninth spot with one win from five. A second win in a row for Clonmel would do much for the team standings with three games, Tullamore (H), Midleton (A) and Enniscorthy (H) to be played before the Christmas break.

Team: Forwards: Ben Everard, Juan Cruz, Jason Monua, Tom O’Dea, Diarmuid Brannock, Diarmuid Devaney (captain), Brian O’Dea, Conor Horan.
Backs: Aiden Hickey, Joey O’Connor, Andrew Daly, Henry Buttimer, Luke Hogan, Zac O’Loughlin, Conor Hogan.
Replacements: Brandon Delicato, Tim Nugent, Lar Houlihan, Ben O’Dwyer, Jack Walsh.
Many thanks to match day sponsor Noel Kelly, for his generous support and to all the club sponsors and supporters.

Minis Blitz
Well done to the over 500 young boys and girls, across 44 teams, from four clubs, that took part in the blitz in Clonmel last Sunday. It was a terrific day for all involved and already everyone is looking forward to the next one. A special thank you to all the volunteers on the day. It was a massive club undertaking.

Split the Bucket Winner
Congratulations to Gillian O’Shea, who won €560 in Sunday’s Split The Bucket draw. That brings to nearly €26,000 paid out to over 50 different winners in the first year of the draw, matching the €26,000 much-needed funds raised for the club. Please support our club in this effort on our website.