Bonus point win keeps Clonmel in hunt for All-Ireland League promotion play-off place

All Ireland League Division 2C

Clonmel 34 Ballina 12 

There is much ongoing debate about the commitment of our “fans” (not supporters, mind) at the Aviva Stadium for international matches. There was no room for such speculation on the hilltop on Saturday last when a large crowd of hugely committed supporters roared a welcome for both teams when Clonmel hosted Ballina in the All- Ireland League Division 2C game.

Our scoreboard has suffered a gremlins attack but supporters at club level know exactly what the score is at any point in the game – and it didn’t take long to get their minds working.

Ballina had landed some punches in recent games so the home side did not wait to see if ‘the west was awake’ – on Clonmel’s immediate surge into the visitors’ 22, Ballina coughed up a penalty and Dylan Cadogan obliged to put us 3-0 ahead with only three minutes on the clock.

It was an important score, as a devilish wind contrived to confuse both sides and kicks at the posts became a lottery.

The Six Nations break may have freshened Clonmel, as they were full of running and showed some good hands as they tested Ballina on all fronts. On 12 minutes some fine combinations split the visitors’ defence and Luke Hogan dotted down to put Clonmel 8-0 ahead. Cadogan was unable to convert in the tricky conditions.

Ballina played their part in a very lively game and their backs unit carried the ball with serious intent, but they could not get any change out of a Clonmel defence that hates to concede anything. Clonmel pushed Ballina back to their own 22 and when their attempted clearance kick was blocked down, Tony Cantwell was on hand to touch down to put Clonmel 13-0 ahead. Cadogan’s conversion pushed that lead out to 15-0 after 18 minutes.

The Mayo visitors stayed in the game and there were some nice moves from both sides but the scoreboard remained static.

Despite the wind, the lineouts for both sides operated well and, while Ballina seemed to have an edge in the scrums, Clonmel appeared to have the upper hand in the driving mauls. The visitors were feeling the pressure and coughed up three penalties in quick succession – one felt that a yellow card might be in the offing. Both sides traded blows but could not alter the scoreboard and half-time arrived with the score still standing at 15-0 to Clonmel.

The game resumed mostly in midfield but an early penalty to Clonmel gave them a great lineout position and the ensuing maul brought Rob Wynne over to score in the 48th minute to put the home side 20-0 ahead. Cadogan converted to bring the score to 22-0.

The psychology of sports contests can have various effects – and whether Clonmel were thinking of the winning post or a bonus point, they seemed to take their foot off the gas. Ballina didn’t need a second invitation and heaped pressure on the hosts. It was Clonmel’s turn to gift a few penalties and the visitors were rewarded with a try on 56 minutes to leave the score at 22-5.

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Clonmel were feeling the heat now. It all changed in an instant – a Ballina pass was intercepted in midfield by Tony Cantwell, who found himself charging downfield in glorious isolation. Tony will never keep Usain Bolt awake at night but he had enough gas to get himself into open country and, when he felt he might be caught, he had the presence to offload beautifully to allow Brian O’Dea to glide under the posts. What a try! Bonus point!

Cadogan’s conversion now put Clonmel 27-5 ahead.

Clonmel were now reinvigorated and another sally towards the Ballina corner saw Niall Campion score a fifth try on 74 minutes to put the hosts 34-5 ahead. This was just reward for Campion, who puts in the hard yards every week.

But Ballina refused to go away and pressurised Clonmel into conceding some late penalties – their persistence paid off when they crossed for their second try, the conversion being the last kick of the game to give a final score of 34-12 to Clonmel.

This bonus-point victory leaves Clonmel comfortably in fourth place, a position that would put them into play-off contention if it can be retained.

NEXT UP BANGOR
The road to Bangor beckons this weekend but Clonmel will travel with a determination that this visit to the north will be different to the previous one.