Ormond slip to the bottom after failing University exam

RUGBY UNION: Energia All Ireland League Division 2A Round 6

Nenagh Ormond 15

Queens University 45

Report: Shane Brophy in Lisatunny

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Garry Dillon (Queens University)

SCORERS – Nenagh Ormond: Tries: McMahon, K O’Flaherty Conv: McGibney (1) Drop-Goal: McGibney (1)

Queens University: Tries: Dillon (2), McKee, Martin, Johnson, Orr Convs: McMaster (5) Pen: McMaster (1)

Nenagh Ormond suffered one of their heaviest home defeats in their All-Ireland League history as Queens University taught them a harsh lesson in this round six clash on Saturday.

Ormond were short-handed for the game with influential scrum-half Nicky Irwin adding to their long list of absentees, and yet despite that when captain John O’Flaherty crossed for their second try early in the second half, Nenagh trailed by just two points. However, they would not score again as a younger and pacier Queens side punished poor tackling to leave Nenagh with a bonus-point win.

That poor tackling was a theme throughout as it’s not an aspect you’d associate with Nenagh Ormond but as a team that is short on consistency in terms of selection doesn’t help, but there were still some green shoots, particularly young Conor McMahon who was superb at outside centre before going off injured late on.

However, Nenagh needed more of that pace and power to deal with a Queens side who were too strong in most facets of the game, and they set the tone with their opening try after just three minutes when full back Michael Orr crossed, after Queens switched the play from wing to wing, although Nenagh will feel the try shouldn’t have had its spark with Derek Corcoran harshly penalised for a knock-on.

Richie McMaster added the conversion and eleven minutes later the visitors crossed for the second try as Queens won a scrum penalty just inside the 22 and powerful back row Gary Dillon picked from the base of the scrum and went down the blindside which Nenagh didn’t defend for an easy try which went unconverted.

Nenagh were slipping off tackles and not meeting the ball-carrier head on, but they slowly grew into the game and got off the mark on 22 minutes through a Fionn McGibney drop-goal. It ignited Nenagh who began to dominate the breakdown and forced Queens to make mistakes, including prop Matthew Miller being sent to the sinbin for tripping in the 30th minute.

Yet, it was Queens who extended their lead three minutes later, despite being a man short, they were able to pierce the Nenagh defence with the powerful Dillon crossing from the ten-metre line, although some of the home sides tackling left a lot to be desired.

Only for the intervention of John O’Flaherty and Peter Coman, the visitors would have had their bonus-point try by half time, but instead it was Nenagh who crossed next with Conor McMahon showing great gas to run onto a pass inside his own half and from there weaved his way over the line for a converted try and a 17-10 half time deficit.

Within five minutes of the restart the margin was down to two as Nenagh put pressure on the Queens line, which yielded a penalty, with John O’Flaherty taking a quick-tap which caught the visitors cold and burrowed over the line for an unconverted try.

The next score was going to be crucial, but it came Queens way as more poor tackling allowed Robbie Johnson to break the line to cross beside the posts.

Nenagh continued to press but any hopes of a comeback went on the hour when scrum half Conor McKee crossed over, although the work of Robbie Johnson was key in creating the opening for a 31-15 lead.

Five minutes later, Queens scored again, this time Nenagh’s indiscipline cost them as they conceded a penalty in their own 22 with hooker Ben Armitage sent to the sinbin for not going back ten yards and with the numerical advantage, Stuart Martin touched down in the corner despite the best efforts of David Gleeson, with McMaster landing the conversion from the touchline.

Nenagh began to lose their cool late on with replacement prop James Meagher sent to the sinbin for dissent with Ben Heath rubbing salt into the wound with Queens sixth try.

TEAMS - Nenagh Ormond: Derek Corcoran; David Gleeson, Conor McMahon, Willie Coffey, Peter Coman; Fionn McGibney, Peter Rainsford; Damien Dunne, Ben Armitage, Cathal Ryan; Kevin O’Flaherty, Kevin O’Gorman; Evan Murphy, Rob Buckley, John O’Flaherty.

Reps: for J O’Flaherty (49 inj); Conor Muldoon for Dunne (54); Cian Ryan for O’Gorman (59); Peter O’Connor for Rainsford (63); Ger O’Gorman for Gleeson (67); Peter Rainsford for McMahon (71 inj); James Meagher for Armitage (77); Damien Dunne for Cathal Ryan (79).

Queens University: Michael Orr; Graham Curtis, Ben Heath, Robbie Johnson, Stuart Martin; Richie McMaster, Conor McKee; George Saunderson; Harry Long, Matthew Miller; Nathan Phillipson, Conor McMenamin; David Whitten, Curtis Pollock, Gary Dillon.

Reps: Chris Poole for Saunderson (inj); Scott Wilson for Long; James Humphreys for Curtis.

Referee: Kieran Barry