Clinical performance in Limerick restores Clonmel's lead at the top of the table

Thomond 19 Clonmel 29

Thanks be to God for club rugby. After enduring the never-ending rain and a tough week for men in green jerseys playing rugby against men in blue jerseys, the men in green and black jerseys left Clonmel last Saturday for a battle against Thomond, the league leaders in Division 2C of the All-Ireland League.

Faith in the game was restored and it doesn’t get much better than this – four tries scored to secure a win with a bonus point, a ten-point winning margin, first spot in the league and no late heart attacks for the supporters as Clonmel controlled the end game clinically.

Back in November, Clonmel brought Thomond’s amazing league start to a halt with a narrow victory. On this occasion Thomond and Ireland legend, Keith Earls, was present to witness Clonmel’s best rugby of the season as they completed a double over the league leaders.

It was another perfect day for rugby on a pitch that withstood all the rain. The welcome in the clubhouse was also perfect and all present enjoyed some old-school hospitality from the hosts, who have big plans for the future. We wish them well.
On the pitch, Thomond started the stronger with some precision kicks pinning back the visitors. With Clonmel under early pressure, captain Henry Buttimer continued where he left off against Midleton with a superb defensive read and intercept before galloping 60 metres to score under the posts to give Clonmel an early 7-0 lead.

The lead didn’t last long as Thomond kicked to the corner. An ambitious Clonmel throw to the back of the lineout didn’t hit the target. The ball was gobbled up by Thomond and slick hands saw them scoring to the left-hand side of the posts to level the game at 7 points each after only 10 minutes.

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While the score was well taken, it seemed like a major error by Clonmel in a game that was lively from the outset, with both teams trying to play expansive rugby.

It was then Clonmel‘s turn to apply pressure from the restart and great work saw them earn a penalty inside the home side’s 22. O’Connor went to the corner. Delicato threw to Tom O’Dea before emerging ball in hand from the bottom of the maul after scoring yet another try this season. It’s Delicato’s 11th try this season – not that he’s counting! The conversion was not easy, but Joe O’Connor is in top form and made it 14-7 to Clonmel.

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Thomond’s response was almost immediate. Clonmel supporters appealed for a penalty for a hit off the ball on Mick Connellan but none materialised. The home side took full advantage and their winger ghosted through the defence to score under the posts to make it 14 points each after just 20 minutes.

Clonmel’s next try was a thing of beauty for those lovers of this most team sports of team sports.
The move began with Davy Coyne ripping a ball to earn a penalty. Coyne went on to carry it a number of times in the move, with Musa conducting the play beautifully. All players contributed, with most metres made by Connellan and Davies as Clonmel advanced deep into enemy territory.

Just when the move looked to be losing momentum, Brian O’Dea took control and made the hard yards. Scrum half Tom Ross did yet another flanker impression by diving over to score and, yet again, O’Connor‘s conversion was on the money. The half-time score was Thomond 14 Clonmel 21.

Thomond started the second half the stronger, forcing a number of penalties and a score looked likely before Musa popped up with an excellent intercept. Clonmel showed tremendous defence but Thomond attacked relentlessly, with big carries from their very big men creating a deserved try. Freddie Davies is a hard-working winger and his charge put enough pressure on the conversion to see Cusack miss to leave the score 21 points to 19.

Clonmel responded well and played their best, and most controlled, rugby of the season. Their play was rewarded in the left-hand corner when Buttimer scored his second try to make it four tries in two games. O’Connor showed he is human after all, as the impossible conversion proved impossible as Clonmel went 26-19 ahead.

With the bonus point secured, Clonmel controlled the game and played some very committed, smart and attractive rugby in the Thomond half of the field.

With 78 minutes on the clock, Clonmel won a number of penalties and elected to take the points after a couple of unsuccessful visits to the corner.

At 29-19 there was no way back for Thomond and the league leaders left without the losing bonus point their play deserved. Clonmel performed well and had the game’s key players on the day. Masuku worked hard tidying up ball all over the pitch. Andrew Daly carried and tacked hard all afternoon. After a difficult week for the Melbourne family, Keith Melbourne put in a storming performance alongside many of his colleagues in the pack.

Buttimer is in top form and deservedly won the man of the match award but will probably postpone consuming the Domino’s pizzas until the end of the season. He was ably assisted by all his comrades in the back division.

All in all, it was a deserved win for Clonmel after a good lively game between two evenly-matched teams. Clonmel sit in first place, four points clear of the chasing pack, with their destiny in their own hands before a well-deserved break.

The next fixture is at home to Monkstown, currently lying third and eager for revenge after a narrow defeat in leafy Dublin 4.
The game will be preceded by the opening of the scoreboard kindly sponsored by our great friends in Camida.
The kick off in Ard Gaoithe on February 28 is 2.30 and let’s hope Clonmel keep the Camida scoreboard busy!

Clonmel: Davy Coyne, Brandon Delicato, Jason Monua, Tom O’Dea, Keith Melbourne, Brian O’Dea, Ben Masuku, Andrew Daly, Tom Ross, Drew Musa, Freddie Davies, Joe O’Connor, Henry Buttimer (captain), Luke Hogan, Michael Connellan.
Replacements: Sean Sweetman, Liam Ryan, Conor Bowen, Luke Slattery, Ben O’Dwyer.