Potential is there for Nenagh to take Young Munster scalp

By Shane Brophy

Nenagh Ormond will add another glorious chapter to their rugby history if they were to defeat Young Munster in this Thursday’s Munster Senior Champions Cup final at Thomond Park.

The local side have already made history in becoming the first Tipperary club to reach the final since the competition began in 1885, and only the second institution from the county to play in the decider as Rockwell College played in four finals in the late 1890’s and early 1900’s without success.

It is a daunting challenge facing a Young Munster side that have won this prestigious competition on nine occasions and are chasing their own piece of history by recording their first three in a row in their history, a club that has provided such Munster and Ireland greats as Peter Clohessy and Paul O’Connell.

However, Nenagh won’t fear the challenge as they have already taken the scalp of division 1A side Garryowen in the quarter final, before easily defeating second tier Highfield in the semi-final last month.

The wide opens spaces and the firm sod of Thomond Park should suit Nenagh’s passing game and their chances will be helped by having wing David Gleeson and centre John Healy available after they missed the league win over Ballymena through injury.

James Finn should also be available after overcoming concussion as Nenagh can now call on seven subs, compared to five which are allowed in division 2A of the All-Ireland League.

However, they will be missing the influential Fionn McGibney who is set to miss the rest of the campaign with a calf issue. Equally adept at out-half or scrum-half, and as a place-kicker, his ability will be missed but Nenagh will have experience in those crucial positions with Josh Rowland at full back, and for Young Munster player and coach Derek Corcoran.

Nicky Irwin along with Corcoran, will provide experience and calmness in the crucial scrum and halfback positions while John Healy and captain Willie Coffey will relish the challenge in the centre, while the fit again David Gleeson and Conor McMahon should man the wings, with Patrick Scully and Cian Ryan providing back line impact off the bench.

Nenagh’s pack will be key to their chances of winning and they have stood tall all season with Mikey Doran, Dylan Murphy and Jack O’Keefe a sturdy front row, while Kevin O’Flaherty is the rock at lock along side the hard-running Jake O’Kelly.

Nenagh’s back row will also not be found wanting with Rob Buckley, John O’Flaherty and John Hayes as good a combination as there is at adult level, and that Evan Murphy can’t find a place in the team is testament to their consistency.

Having taken care of Old Crescent, Garryowen and Highfield to get to this stage, Young Munster are forewarned about what is to come.

They are also in good form themselves in Division 1A of AIL, currently fourth in the table, and well-placed to make play-offs with three games

left.

They could also be able to call on Munster duo Patrick Campbell and Dan Goggin who have featured for them in the AIL fairly regularly this season, particularly with Munster not having a URC game this year.

Conor Hayes is a prolific try-scorer. Hayes has played on the wing when Campbell is available to play full-back. Luke Fitzgerald is an exciting centre along with Goggin, while Evan Cusack is a reliable goalkicker at out-half.

In the pack, Sean Rigney and captain Alan Kennedy are very good second row partnership and the likes of Bailey Falloon and John Foley are key players in the back-row.

It promises to be a special occasion at Thomond Park on the eve of St Patrick’s Day where the cherry and white colours of the Nenagh Ormond support should outnumber the black and amber of the Young Munster ‘cookies’, as they are know as.