Clonmel lose narrowly in Bangor but still return home with a bonus point

All-Ireland League Division 2C

Bangor 20 Clonmel 16

It was a story of so close and yet so far for Clonmel RFC in this massive and entertaining AIL Division 2C contest.

The two evenly-matched teams traded blows and scores throughout the game, which could have gone either way.

Bangor had the definite edge in the scrum, where their veteran tighthead prop James Leary was marking 100 AIL appearances, while the Clonmel lineout was imperious, with accurate darts from Rob Wynne hitting his targets, especially Jack Lonergan and Tony Cantwell.

This platform had Diarmuid Brannock over the Bangor line early in the game, only to be held up. The ensuing goal line dropout was collected by Dan Hosek, followed by swift, accurate passing and fast ruck ball and Alex Sheehan scored in the corner after 12 minutes. Dylan Cadogan kicked immaculately, as he did all day, to convert the goal for a score of 0-7 to Clonmel.

Bangor immediately replied, with their dominant scrum yielding a penalty, which was converted for a score of 3-7 after 15 minutes.

For the next quarter the fierce battle between these sides pulsated. The home side won a scrum turnover, but a huge double hit by Brannock and Hosek led to a Clonmel turnover and play moved into the Bangor 22. The home wing then kicked a monster 50/22 to reverse the tide and bring play into the Clonmel half. In the ensuing attack Clonmel’s Fronek was adjudged to have deliberately knocked on, resulting in a yellow card on 30 minutes.

The home team then had a succession of 5 metre scrums, which were fiercely defended before their number eight crossed the line for a converted try after 35 minutes. Clonmel were awarded a rare scrum penalty just before the break, which was converted by Dylan Cadogan for a half-time score of ten-all.

The visitors began the second half stronger; excellent ball retention enabled pressure on the home defence, resulting in a couple of penalties. Diarmuid Devaney was high tackled by Bangor’s number eight, who was sin-binned.

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In a crucial phase the Clonmel maul was repulsed and a resultant penalty was converted for a score of 13-10 to Clonmel after 50 minutes.

The pendulum swung again as the home team made ground. Devaney scooped a lineout overthrow to make great territory, and Cadogan kicked a huge relieving clearance. Bangor then unveiled a superb practice ground move from the lineout, with multiple backs handling to drive up the field and score an excellent try under the posts, for a score of 17-13 to Bangor.

Fierce home defence resulted in handling errors, and the strength of Bangor’s scrum yielded penalties that undid Clonmel attacks. Bangor kicked one penalty on 63 minutes, while Cadogan kicked a penalty for offside five minutes later. A superb cover tackle by Luke Hogan extinguished a threatening Bangor move and Clonmel then pushed for the try that would win the game. Dylan Cadogan kicked a monster touchfinder, and Brian O’Dea secured the lineout before the defence forced a knock-on. Cadogan, Hosek and Ross Slattery all handled in a last bid to score before Dean Slattery was forced into touch. Clonmel took a losing bonus point, and stay fourth in the league after a game they could have won.

There were many excellent performances; while the scrum creaked, the pack as a whole were outstanding, Dylan Cadogan was accurate with the boot, yet full of running and it was great to welcome back Ross Slattery.

The next game is on Saturday against Skerries at home in Ard Gaoithe.

Clonmel squad: Niall Campion, Rob Wynne, Brandon Delicato, Tony Cantwell, Diarmuid Brannock, Jack Lonergan, Diarmuid Devaney, Dan Hosek, Alex Sheehan, Dylan Cadogan, Ross Slattery, Andrew Daly, Luke Hogan, Dean Slattery, Albert Fronek, Mattie O’Toole, Sean Sweetman, Brian O’Dea, Tim Nugent, Aidan Hickey, Joe Sheehan, David Leo.