Six-try Nenagh Ormond power past UCC to climb to third in All-Ireland League

Energia All-Ireland League - Division 1B - Round 6

Nenagh Ormond 40

University College Cork 20

Nenagh Ormond moved into third place with an emphatic victory over struggling UCC in round 6 of AIL Division 1B.

Although the home side trailed by a point at half-time, they proved far too strong for the students in a dominant second-half display to secure their second consecutive victory after last week’s last-gasp win over MU Barnhall.

Nenagh opened the scoring after only 3 minutes when hooker Ignacio Failla got on the end of a powerful driving maul following the game’s first lineout. UCC therefore found themselves 7-0 down before they had even had a chance to get their hands on the ball - not the start they were looking for in a winless season to date.

With conditions at New Ormond Park ideal for open rugby, this was an entertaining game throughout, with both backlines looking dangerous and showing some great moments in attack. Ex-Munster Academy winger O’Leary Kareem made a surging break on 10 minutes but the Nenagh scramble defence just about managed to snuff out the danger.

With young out-half Darragh Gleeson having to leave the field immediately afterwards, Nenagh were forced into a reshuffle as Liam Walsh came in at scrum-half, with Aaron Moloney moving to the 10 slot. This new combination actually brought a different tempo to the Nenagh play and on 13 minutes, they went in for a second try, winger Sam Cusack finishing brilliantly in the corner. Conor McMahon, taking over the kicking duties from Gleeson, converted expertly from the touchline.

Now 14 points down, UCC responded in spirited fashion and had their best spell of the game, dominating much of the play for the remainder of the half. O’Leary Kareem pulled three back for the students at the end of the first quarter as Nenagh were penalised for a high tackle. Shortly afterwards, they made further headway into the lead through a try by flanker Eddie Dooley.

The home side were getting on the wrong side of the referee, who was very vigilant on tackle height, which eventually led to yellow cards for both Moloney and prop forward Matthew Burke. With the tide now turning very much in their favour, the students went into the lead just on the stroke of half-time through a try in the corner from Daire O’Callaghan and a touchline conversion from O’Leary Kareem.

Once restored to a full complement on the return of Moloney and Burke, Nenagh regrouped and began to dominate the forward exchanges. In a devastating 15-minute spell, they took complete control of the game with tries from Matt Brice, Patrick Scully and Burke, all converted by McMahon, to race into a 20-point lead.

Although UCC did snatch a late consolation try through Christopher Barrett, the game was already out of reach and it was Nenagh who had the final say, bringing their total to 40 when flanker Ollie Ayling touched down for their sixth try in the closing moments.

Nenagh Ormond: Matthew Brice; Sam Cusack, Conor McMahon, Willie Coffey, Patrick Scully; Darragh Gleeson, Aaron Maloney; Ignacio Failla, Jack O’Keeffe, Kevin Seymour, Kevin O’Flaherty, Oli Ayling, Robbie Tynan, John O’Flaherty (capt).

Replacements: Jack Devanny, Jake O’Kelly, John Brislane, Liam Walsh, Richie Whelan, Luke Graham.

Scorers: Tries: Ignacio Failla, Sam Cusack, Matthew Brice, Patrick Scully, Matthew Burke, Oli Ayling; Conversions: Conor McMahon (4), one other conversion not identified.

UCC: Danny McCarthy; Stephen O’Shaughnessy (capt), Alex Hamilton, Dylan Mullen, Tom Murray; Eddie Dooley, Ted O’Callaghan; Casey Whelan Hof, Ronan Byrd, Declan Fitzgerald, Daire O’Callaghan, James O’Leary, Cian Corkery, Gene O’Leary Kareem, Conall Cournane.

Replacements: Darragh Prenter, Sean Fitzpatrick, Dawid Novak, Joe Barrett, Christopher Barrett, James Wixted.

Scorers: Tries: Eddie Dooley, Daire O’Callaghan, Christopher Barrett; Conversion: Gene O’Leary Kareem; Penalty: Gene O’Leary Kareem.