Clonmel make winning start to All-Ireland Rugby League campaign

Clonmel 33 Monkstown 28

Clonmel emerged victorious after a hard-fought victory against hosts Monkstown on Saturday last in Sydney Parade, Dublin in the opening round of the All-Ireland Rugby League Division 2B South.

This venue has been a happy hunting ground for the visitors, having claimed narrow victories there in the last two seasons. On a beautiful sunny afternoon, Clonmel flew out of the traps and scored two tries in the opening 10 minutes through debutant centre Robert Wall and front row forward Jason Monua, both converted by outhalf Joey O’Connor.

Monkstown had recruited a lot of new players and their supporters expected that it would take time for the team to gel. The home team responded, forcing Clonmel to concede a scrum penalty on their 22, which was dispatched to touch. Monkstown won the ball cleanly and from the ensuing maul former Clonmel player Rob Wynne dotted down to bring the hosts back into the game. Monkstown outhalf Stapleton converted.

The game then became a little disjointed, with both sides guilty of handling errors that disrupted the flow of the game. It was clear, though, that the home side were growing in confidence as the half wore on. On 31 minutes following a Clonmel clearing kick, Monkstown broke down the left hand side and slick passing resulted in a second try for Rob Wynne, which was successfully converted to tie up the game at 14 each.

Monkstown had the better of the exchanges for the remainder of the half, but the Clonmel defence held firm up to the break.

At half-time it was 14 points apiece.

Clonmel started the second half well and established a foothold in the Monkstown half through solid handling and astute tactical kicking. From a penalty on halfway, Clonmel kicked deep into touch to set up a lineout 10 metres from the Monkstown line. The lineout was claimed and following a series of close-in drives the ball was moved to the right, where full back Jack Walsh skilfully evaded two Monkstown covering tacklers to get over the line for Clonmel’s third try. Again, Joe O’Connor was successful with the conversion

Monkstown then made three forward substitutions and these had an immediate impact. On 57 minutes, Clonmel conceded a maul penalty on their own 22, which was kicked to touch for an attacking five metre lineout for the home side. Excellent maul defence from Clonmel resulted in a turnover scrum to the defending team.

On their own five metre line Clonmel eventually cleared their lines but the home side continued to attack, forcing the concession of further penalties from the visitors. Finally the dam broke and after a series of pick and drives close to the Clonmel Iine, Monkstown got through for their third try by Mark Kelly, one of the recent replacements. The conversion was good, to leave the score at 21 points each.

On 64 minutes Clonmel responded with a promising attack in the Monkstown half. A couple of breaks up the middle resulted in flanker Ben Masuku getting over the line but unfortunately he was unable to ground the ball, resulting in a goal-line drop out to the home side. Clonmel then attacked up the left hand side but infringed once more, allowing Monkstown to clear their lines and establish territory in the Clonmel half. From an attacking lineout inside the Clonmel 22, the visitors were once again penalised at ruck time.

The Dubliners took a quick tap, and after a series of rucks close to the line got over for their fourth and bonus point try beside the posts, courtesy again of Mark Kelly. The conversion meant that Monkstown now led for the first time, with a score of 28-21.

However, Clonmel responded positively once more. A fantastic break up the middle by substitute Sean Sweetman resulted in a clear overlap on the right hand side. Another substitute, lock Conor Bowen, provided the scoring pass to Robert Wall for the centre's second try. Joey O'Connor one again converted and the teams were tied at 28 each as the game entered its final 10 minutes

Monkstown claimed the resulting kick off but were penalised for not releasing following great work by Clonmel captain Henry Buttimer. From the resulting line out, a series of Clonmel attacks down the left hand side saw Joey O’Connor score his side's fifth try to put the visitors in the lead once more. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

The game entered injury time as Monkstown restarted. Possession was vital and was claimed by Clonmel. There followed a series of endgame rucks, where Clonmel saw out the remaining time, before Joe O’Connor kicked the ball dead.

The Clonmel team and management will be extremely relieved to have won this match. After such a bright start, they responded well after the home team took the lead in the second half. This was a game Clonmel might well have lost in previous years.

So, a full five match points won and it’s on to the next challenge, a home game in Ard Gaoithe against Dolphin on Saturday next, October 3 at 2.30pm. All are welcome

Clonmel: Jason Monua, Brandon Delicato, David Brennan, Gerrit Huisamen, Keith Melbourne, James Meagher, Mbongeni Masuku, Andrew Daly, Tom Ross, Joe O’Connor, Michael Connellan, Henry Buttimer (captain), Robert Wall, AJ Thomas, Jack Walsh.

Replacements: Jack Dempsey, Sean Sweetman, Conor Bowen, Zac Cahalane, Ben O’Dwyer.