Victory in Antrim earns Clonmel home semi-final against Dolphin

Ballyclare 29 Clonmel 32

After 18 games, Clonmel go into the knockout phase of the All-Ireland Rugby League Division 2C after topping the league in the number one spot and earning a home semi-final against Dolphin on Saturday week, April 18.

On a day of storm warnings across the country, the rain paused and the wind eased for Clonmel’s game against Ballyclare in Antrim. The men from Tipperary did enough to secure the bonus point win and ensure they maintained the top position in an exciting, entertaining and too-close-for-comfort game.

Clonmel were the dominant team in the early exchanges, having kicked off with the aid of the still temperamental wind. Jack Walsh fired an excellent touch-finder down the right wing to bring play to the Ballyclare 22, and recovered the return volley on his knees.

Clonmel then probed the Ulstermen’s defence with strong carries by Ben Masuka and Keith Melbourne. Ballyclare went offside at a ruck, and Joe O’Connor found an excellent touch. Though the lineout missed its target the ball was recovered by Masuku, followed by a trademark direct charge by David Coyne.

There followed an extended period of Clonmel pressure, with strong carries by Brandon Delicato, Andrew Daly and adept handling by Joe O’Connor for Keith Melbourne to touch down in the corner. The conversion was missed to leave Clonmel ahead 5-0 after seven minutes.

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The restart by ‘Clare found touch, but the swirling wind foiled a Tom Ross contestable kick before jackler Brandon Delicato forced a penalty. Unfortunately, possession was soon turned over for a period of Ballyclare possession, which was met with strong and aggressive defence, until that man Delicato again won a jackal penalty.

A powerful maul brought play to 10 metres out, then the ball went through Jason Monua and Andrew Daly before David Coyne was driven over the line under the posts. Joe O’Connor duly converted to bring the score to 12-0 after 13 minutes.

Ballyclare then had their first period of dominance, getting to the five metres line before losing possession. Ben Masuku mopped up at the lineout and offloaded to Jason Monua, who brought play to halfway before Henry Buttimer, Michael Connellan and Freddie Davies carried with purpose to bring play to the Ballyclare 22. A Clonmel error resulted in the first scrum, but this yielded a penalty to Clonmel. The lineout and maul were followed by hard yards from Joe O’Connor, Jack Walsh and then Keith Melbourne, who surged through three tacklers to score under the posts. It was 19-0 to Clonmel after 22 minutes.

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Ballyclare began to exert more influence, retaining possession with interplay between backs and forwards, though met with stiff Clonmel resistance. ‘Clare number eight McIlwraith made progress from the scrum before a ferocious tackle by Buttimer forced the knock-on. A clean lineout by the Ulstermen was followed by the forwards punching up the centre and then their first demonstration of slick handling, with a fine offload by outside centre Josh Cowan releasing the right wing to score in the corner. This left the score 19-5 to Clonmel.

A high tackle on David Coyne brought the visitors into the home 22, however possession was turned over. Ballyclare were now beginning to make ground in possession. A fine chip kick by Cowan gained more territory, before a midfield fumble brought the half to a close.

The second half continued as the first finished. The Ballyclare defence was noticeably more aggressive and despite Huisamen turning over a lineout, the wind now made exit more difficult. A penalty for holding on gave the hosts good field position, where their lineout and maul brought the reward of a try in the corner, followed by a touch-line conversion. After 45 minutes it was 19-12 to Clonmel.

Good ball from a solid Clonmel scrum went through the hands, with a fine kick by Buttimer up the right wing well chased by Connellan. When Ballyclare were penalised for offside in a kickable position there was no hesitation in going for the posts. O’Connor nailed the kick to give some breathing space.

From the restart the home side conceded a penalty, which Masuku tapped and made 50 metres, followed by another offside penalty by ‘Clare. The resulting lineout was another clean take by Melbourne, then taken up by Daly in another hard charge, with Davis coming in off his line to use his pace on the inside to beat the cover and canter in under the posts. The conversion made it 29-12 to Clonmel after 54 minutes.

The Clonmel support were breathing rather more easily at this stage, but there was a lot more drama yet to play out. On the restart the probing carries by Ballyclare pulled the Clonmel defence out of shape and quick hands by the three quarters resulted in centre and captain Gamble in space on the left to score a touchdown.

The conversion was missed and after the restart a scuffed clearance by the men from the north kept play in their half, and there was no doubt what to do when another high tackle was penalised. O’Connor was accurate with the kick to make the score 32-17 after 58 minutes.

Ballyclare now played like men unafraid to lose, attacking with energy and purpose. A scrum penalty was followed by multiple phases, with offloads in the tackle opening the space.

An attempted intercept by Davies didn’t come off, and the home side made good progress on the narrow side of the resulting scrum, then swung the ball across to the left. With a penalty advantage, the pivot cross was kicked to wing Gillespie, who was held by Davis but was able to offload to the oncoming centre for a try. 32 -22 to Clonmel.

In a subsequent phase of broken play an attempted clearing kick by Clonmel was partially blocked and Clonmel went offside. Poor discipline surrendered another 10 metres.

The home lineout functioned and the backs ran at Clonmel, then attacked close to the breakdown until centre Cowan breached the defence to score by the posts. The conversion narrowed the gap to three points, 32-29 with 10 minutes to play. It felt like the tide was running against Clonmel.

The final act had everything – Jack Walsh kicked a beautiful 50/22 to gain prime field position, the resulting maul inched forward but the ball was held up over the line. Then following a scrum and what looked like a breakout by Ballyclare, play was called back for a yellow card to the ‘Clare forward for dangerous play against Clonmel substitute prop Sean Wall.

Unfortunately, the subsequent lineout maul did not progress to the referee’s satisfaction, resulting in a scrum to the home side. In the last play the 14 men of Ballyclare attacked up the left, but the Clonmel defence held firm and Joe O’Connor kicked the game dead.

Clonmel came away with maximum points from an exciting and high quality game. There was a lot to admire in the Clonmel play, and some areas to improve. The scrum was rock solid, and the lineout impeccable. Decision-making was excellent, taking the points when on offer.

However, while defence was generally good Ballyclare made progress with fast ball to the wings.

Clonmel can now look forward to a home semi-final against Dolphin in Ard Gaoithe on Saturday April 18. This will be a great day against a team Clonmel have found difficult to beat. Come along and be part of the event!

Clonmel: David Coyne, Brandon Delicato, Jason Monua, Keith Melbourne, Diarmuid Brannock, Gerrit Huisamen, Ben Masuku, Andrew Daly, Tom Ross, Joe O’Connor, Freddie Davies, Henry Buttimer (captain), Michael Connellan, Jadyn Mullery, Jack Walsh. Replacements: Sean Wall, Liam Ryan, David Brennan, Drew Musa, Brian O’Dea.