Ormond optimism is punctured by Lansdowne

RUGBY: Energia All-Ireland League 1A Round 14

Nenagh Ormond 19

Lansdowne 45

Report: Thomas Conway at New Ormond Park

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Stephen Madigan (Lansdowne).

SCORERS – Nenagh Ormond: Tries - O’Kelly, Corcoran, O’Shaughnessy. Cons – McMahon (1), Finn (1).

Lansdowne: Tries – Roche (2), Buekes, Healy, McLaughlin, Redmond, Matthews. Cons - Madigan (5)

Believe it or not, there was a faint air of optimism palpable around Lisatunny before kick-off on Saturday.

From a Nenagh Ormond perspective, this All-Ireland League Division 1A clash was arriving at the end of a whirlwind week in which the club had produced two statement victories - the under-21s had sensationally eclipsed UCC in the semi-final of the Dónal Walsh Cup, while the second team had retained the Limerick Charity Cup after victory over Garryowen in Dooradoyle.

The dual victories had very evidently energised the entire club and although Nenagh were fielding a much-changed starting XV, hopes were high that they might just make a game of it.

Unfortunately, those hopes were misplaced. Nenagh flickered into life at times and displayed some commendable second-half spirit, but by and large this affair played out in rather familiar style.

Ormond suffered their fourteenth defeat of the season to a capable and savvy Lansdowne outfit, who had their business completed by half-time and have all the hallmarks of a side that could sneak into the play-offs and perhaps cause an upset. The win elevated the Dublin club to fourth in the league table, behind Terenure, Clontarf, and St. Mary’s with Cork Con and Young Munster are on their tails as the battle for the semi-final spots ramps up in.

For Nenagh, the signs were ominous from the moment Jake O’Kelly entered the sinbin in the third minute. In fairness to the lock, he stepped back into the action ten minutes later and delivered a praiseworthy performance, touching down for a 45th minute try.

However dangerous Lansdowne looked, they failed to exploit O’Kelly’s absence, but once Tom Roche steamed over for the first of his brace of tries in the nineteenth minute, Nenagh’s confidence evaporated. Out-half Stephen Madigan dispatched the conversion and minutes later he precipitated the move that led to Lansdowne’s second try, beautifully executing a kick from deep. After several phases second-row Juan Buekes powered over the line, with Madigan converting easily. Winger Matt Healy then made it three tries in ten minutes, before Roche nicked his second in the run-up to half-time.

The last move of the half featured an unfortunate combination play between Willie Coffey and Davy Gleeson. The former attempted an audacious backhand pass but Gleeson was a split-second too early and the ball spilled onto the astroturf and eventually out into touch. The failed exchange encapsulated Nenagh’s season in a microcosm. The players had good ideas and intentions, but their execution has been lacking due to a combination of physical exhaustion, mental fatigue, and sheer inexperience at this level.

Still, they can take heart from their second half showing. Jake O’Kelly was eager to make amends and stamp his imprint on the game and so his 45th minute try, converted easily by Conor McMahon, was well deserved.

Nenagh looked to assert themselves but just couldn’t translate possession into points, and it was Lansdowne who registered next, full-back Hugo McLaughlin racing in at the far side. Madigan, who pulled the strings throughout this encounter, nailed the conversion to extend the Lansdowne lead, and with the result now very much a foregone conclusion, the game lost its urgency.

Madigan’s opposite number, Nenagh player/head coach Derek Corcoran, remains as sharp as ever with the ball in hand and the veteran showed glimpses of familiar brilliance. He helped his side finish with a bit of flair, flashing through a gap and scoring himself on 71 minutes. Conor O'Shaughnessy added Nenagh’s third and final try with the clock ticking towards the eightieth minute. It was some consolation but not much, given that Lansdowne also touched down twice in those last ten minutes.

With only four games remaining, Nenagh’s season is nearing its end, and their relegation will be confirmed next Saturday if they fail to beat Terenure College in their penultimate home game. The target in the home stretch is to ensure it is not a winless campaign. It has been a traumatic campaign for a good group of players, one, which they will rebuild from.

TEAMS - Nenagh Ormond: David Gleeson (6); Patrick Scully (6), Conor McMahon (6), Willie Coffey (6), Conor O’Shaughnessy (7); Derek Corcoran (7), Charlie O’Doherty (6); Mikey Doran (6), Dylan Murphy (6), Matthew Burke (6); Jake O’Kelly (7), Kevin O’Flaherty (capt, 6); Rob Buckley (6), John Brislane (6), John O’Flaherty (6).

Reps: Joe Coffey (6) for Buckley (46); Seán Frawley (7) for Burke (51), Kevin Seymour (7) for Brislane (51), Luke Kerr (7) for Scully (56), Jack Devanny (6) for Murphy (67); James Finn (7) for McMahon (67); Conor McMahon for O’Doherty (77).

Lansdowne: Hugo McLaughlin (7); Tom Roche (8), Andy Marks (capt, 7), Harry O’Riordan (7), Cillian Redmond (7), Stephen Madigan (8), Jack Matthews (7); George Morris (7), Bobby Sheehan (7), Greg McGrath (7), Juan Buekes (7), Ruairi Clarke (7), Matt Healy (7), Paul Wilson (7), Barry Fitzpatrick (7).

Reps: Julien Valleise (7) for Fitzpatrick (39), Tom Daly (7) for McGrath (49), Tom Barry (6) for Sheehan (59), Louis McGauren (6) for Clarke (70).

Referee: Shane Gaughan.