Brave Nenagh Ormond ship a 19-point All-Ireland League defeat to high-flying Highfield
A highly-impressive and high-flying Highfield RFC side consolidated their position at the summit of division 2A in the All-Ireland League when the Cork lads presented Nenagh Ormond with a nineteen-point defeat (17-36) at New Ormond Park on Saturday. The home side gave it everything they had, but Nenagh Ormond were simply out-classed on this occasion and now find themselves second from bottom with only Galwegians propping up the table below them.
Ormond were poorly supported on Saturday and it is now that the club need the people of Nenagh to come out and cheer on their efforts. Considering the resources of the club Nenagh Ormond are doing especially well to feature in division 2A of the All-Ireland in the first instance and with a battle to avoid relegation on the cards everyone associated with the team would appreciate your support for the remainder of the season.
ATROCIOUS CONDITIONS
In atrocious conditions on Saturday Nenagh Ormond coughed up a penalty straight from the kick-off and fell 0-3 in arrears. The home side earned a penalty of their own in the third minute, but failed to convert the opportunity thanks to facing the driving wind and rain.
Nenagh Ormond did especially well to deny the visitors a try in the eighth, 11th and 14th minutes when disciplined and determined tackling frustrated a whole series of Highfield attacks. Indeed, the brave Nenagh lads gave it everything they had in the opening half with a Patrick Scully hit on Highfield winger Paul Stack a particular highlight.
Fire and pure heart, however, can only take you so far against such an accomplished opponent and in the 17th minute Highfield stole a Nenagh lineout and three phases later Eddie Earle plunged over for a convert try (0-10).
Ormond opted to run the ball from deep inside their own half in the 29th minute and paid a dear price when, following a knock-on, Highfield rumbled over for a second try which was converted. Then, fully four minutes into first half injury time, match official Dermot Blake deemed that the home side had illegally pulled down a threatening Highfield maul and presented the visitors with a penalty try. Highfield RFC led 24-0 at the break.
DETERMINED MOOD