Pride is the prime emotion for Long

By Shane Brophy

Nenagh Ormond Director of Rugby John Long said the disappointment of narrowly missing out on an historic first Munster Senior Challenge Cup title was usurped by a great sense of pride following a magnificent performance.

“Huge huge pride,” was how he described his immediate emotion after the game.

“It was an unbelievable performance from 1 to 22. We really shocked Young Munster. They didn’t expect the energy we brought to the game and for seventy minutes it was all us. A few unlucky decisions went against us and gave them momentum and turned the game around and their experience and talent came through.”

In the first half, Nenagh Ormond’s energy and precision was such that they looked the team playing at a higher level as the opened up a fourteen point lead early in the second half before the concession of a number of penalties, plus Young Munster turning to their power game helped turn the game in their favour.

“A couple of Young Munster coaches and management I was talking to afterwards and they couldn’t believe what we threw at them. They weren’t expecting it,” revealed John Long.

“The penalty-try swung the game and gave them momentum. We didn’t recover from that. It is heart-breaking stuff.

“I can’t say enough of how proud we are of the lads.

“The support from Nenagh was phenomenal, people underestimate how much that drives a team on and it did tonight again. Anyone we have met are bursting with pride and about five people I have met so far say the best team lost tonight so the lads can come out of it with your head held high.”

A disappointing as the final outcome was, the players were in relaxed form after the game which was good to see as they return to league action this Friday night as they continue their promotion push with the Tipperary derby away to Cashel.

“It’s back to business next Friday away to Cashel, another tough task,” added Long.

“It’s not easy place to go so it is about recovering this weekend.”