Last-gasp heroics as Nenagh Ormond snatch dramatic All-Ireland League victory over MU Barnhall
Conor McMahon held his nerve to land a match-winning penalty with the final kick of the game as Nenagh Ormond secured a thrilling 18-16 victory at New Ormond Park
Energia All-Ireland League - Division 1B - Round 5
Nenagh Ormond 18
MU Barnhall 16
Nenagh Ormond left it late to secure a valuable home victory over MU Barnhall in round 5 of the AIL on Saturday afternoon last.
A cagey opening quarter ended with the sides level at three points apiece through successful penalties from Barnhall out-half Hannon and his Nenagh counterpart Darragh Gleeson, who was making his AIL debut for the home side.
Nenagh began to assert control in the second quarter and scored their first try on 25 minutes from a line-out maul, the touchdown coming from flanker Oly Ayling.
They followed up with a second through Robbie Tynan eight minutes later and looked comfortable as they went into half-time 15-3 ahead.
Hannon was successful with another penalty early in the second half, which gave encouragement to the Kildare men as they went about hauling themselves back into the game. They got further encouragement three minutes later as Nenagh were reduced to 14 men as Willie Coffey saw yellow. The visitors took full advantage as full-back Norval got over in the corner, with the successful conversion cutting the deficit to just two points.
As Barnhall continued to apply the pressure, Nenagh were fortunate to escape on a couple of occasions, but eventually they did concede as Hannon converted a 75th-minute penalty to give his side a slender one-point lead.
With the clock ticking into the red, the home side staged one last attack in an effort to salvage the game.
They were rewarded with a penalty 30 metres out, which everyone knew would be the last play. With Gleeson now off the field, up stepped replacement kicker Conor McMahon, who held his nerve under pressure to slot the kick and secure the victory for his side.
Nenagh remain in sixth place but only four points behind leaders Blackrock in this ultra-competitive division. They next face UCC in a round 6 tie which was originally scheduled for The Mardyke but has been switched to New Ormond Park next Saturday, November 7.
Nenagh Ormond: Matthew Brice; Sam Cusack, Willie Coffey, Patrick Scully, Fionn Higgins; Darragh Gleeson, Aaron Moloney; Richie Whelan, Taylor Coles, Matthew Burke, Kevin Seymour, Kevin O’Flaherty, Oly Ayling, Robbie Tynan, John O’Flaherty.
Replacements: Liam Walsh, Ignacio Failla, John Brislane, Conor McMahon, Rob Buckley.
Scorers: Tries: Oly Ayling, Robbie Tynan; Conversion: Darragh Gleeson; Penalties: Darragh Gleeson, Conor McMahon.
MU Barnhall: Daniel Norval; Dylan Bruton, Shane Mallon, Nick Doggett, Alex Crowley; Jack Hannon, Luke Fogarty; Sean Hopkins, Finn Brien, Darragh Bellanova, Finn Leach, Ciaran Enright, Stephen Callinan, Shane Davitt, Daniel Murphy.
Replacements: Geoff Brooks, Cathal Duff, Conor Turley, Harry Peavoy, Finn Leach, Daniel Murphy, Finn Leach.
Scorers: Try: Daniel Norval; Conversion: Jack Hannon; Penalties: Jack Hannon (3).
Referee: Tomas O’Sullivan