Clonmel are flying high in the Munster Senior Rugby League

Cashel 18 Clonmel 28

Clonmel Rugby Club’s Senior Seconds headed to Cashel for Round 4 of the Munster Senior Seconds League.

The Munster Senior League is divided into two divisions: Division 1 for Senior Clubs who play 1A and 1B AIL and Division 2 for Clubs who play 2A, 2B and 2C. So it was already a great achievement that the Clonmel team headed to Cashel top of the table after three rounds.

Clonmel Rugby Club is, this year, blessed with plenty of depth across the seniors and the game saw the return from injury of Harry Lane, Denis Clancy and Jack Lane. The squad had a mix of AIL experience, which is invaluable in a strong competition like this.

Clonmel started strongly, doing well in their set-pieces and were unlucky to lose full back Dean Slattery a minute into the game with a hand injury.

Slattery scored a hat-trick of tries in his last game but such is the club depth that replacement Sean McEntegert played a fine game off the bench.

While the performance was a little rusty at times for Clonmel, all in all it was a great team performance.

Set-pieces were strong and hooker Liam Ryan won Man of the Match. There were fine carries by prop Jason Monua, number eight Brian O’Dea, flankers Jack Lane and Monbgeni Masuka. Locks Conor Bowen and captain Billy Coffey secured some great lineout ball while scrum half Ben O’Dwyer put in great links with the backs, putting them into space on numerous occasions.

In the first half, winger Liam Maher and centre Luke Hogan crossed the line for Clonmel. Despite a fine all round team defence, Clonmel went into half-time a point behind.

Some lovely breaks by wingers Zac Cahalan and Cian Lonergan off the bench kept the game alive. Centre Harry Lane made a fine return after seven months out with a broken leg. Prop Cian Beckers had a good impact off the bench. Luke Hogan and Liam Maher had fine outings and both scored again in the second half.

It was a solid four out of four from the boot of Ben O’Dwyer to bring Clonmel home with a 28-18 bonus point victory.

The win keeps them at the top of the table. They face UL Bohs in the last round and league decider this Sunday at home.

Clonmel’s Firsts return to the AIL on Saturday when they face table leaders Midleton away.

SEE ALSO: Kilfeacle lead Division One of Munster Junior Rugby League

They were drawn against Old Crescent for the semi-final of the Munster Senior Cup, to be played in February.