New look Ormond get onto winning league start in Highfield

RUGBY: Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B Round 1

Highfield 12

Nenagh Ormond 22

Report: Mike McMahon at Woodleigh Park, Cork

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Willie Coffey (Nenagh Ormond).

SCORERS – Highfield: Tries – Shanahan, Greene. Con – O’Riordan (1).

Nenagh Ormond: Tries – Tynan, Brice, Moloney. Cons – Stewart (2). Pen – Stewart (1).

A new-look Nenagh Ormond opened their All-Ireland League Division 1B campaign with a well-earned away victory of Highfield in a very physical and entertaining encounter on Saturday.

With plenty of change in the Nenagh camp over the summer, there were no fewer than seven players making their first AIL appearance in the red and white. A trip to Cork on the opening day is never an easy assignment and although Nenagh went ahead early through a penalty from kiwi out-half Jonty Stewart, it was the home side that made most of the early running.

Playing against the stiff breeze, Highfield had a number of try scoring opportunities in the first half but failed to capitalise due to a mixture of inaccuracy close to the line and excellent Nenagh defence. Nevertheless, with the visitors just three points up at half time and playing into the elements for the second period, things were looking promising for the home support.

With both teams preferring to keep ball in hand, this was an absorbing encounter in which the two defences held the upper hand until the breakthrough finally came for Nenagh when flanker Robbie Tynan burrowed his way over for the opening try on 54 minutes.

Having been in the ascendancy for long periods up to that point, this score was a hammer blow for the home side and it showed as Nenagh began to grow in confidence. They went further ahead five minutes later when Stewart combined with outside centre Conor McMahon to send full back Matt Brice clear and under the sticks for a brilliant score.

With Willie Coffey prominent in midfield, Nenagh began to turn the screw in the final quarter and were rewarded with a third try through scrum-half Aaron Maloney, who was quickest to react to a spilled ball behind the Highfield line.

With two of the three tries converted, the score now stood at 22-0 to Nenagh and the outcome of the game was effectively settled.

Highfield captain and full-back Jamie Shanahan did get one back for his team with a trademark solo effort but it was all too little, too late and even though winger Nicky Greene pounced for a second with the last play of the game, it was consolation only for the home side.

It is very early doors in the new season but both teams showed enough in this game to suggest that they will be forces to be reckoned with in this division.

Nenagh will next face early leaders Naas, who had a comfortable opening win over UCC whilst Highfield have the unenviable task of a long trek north to try to get their season back on track away to Instonians.

TEAMS – Highfield: Jamie Shanahan (Capt); Nicky Greene, Dave McCarthy, Harry Galvin Carty, Michael Kennedy; Shane O'Riordan, James Brugger; James Cronin, Travis Coomey, Fionbarra McSherry, Cathal Bruhn, Conor Kennelly, Aidan Keane, Conor Galvin, Rian MacFarlane O'Shea.

Reps: Zach Piper, Corey O'Hanlon, Mark Fitzgerald, Adam Murphy, Chris Banon, Liam McCarthy.

Nenagh Ormond: Matt Brice; Luke Graham, Conor McMahon, Willie Coffey, Fionn Higgins; Jonty Stewart, Aaron Maloney; Richie Whelan, Taylor Coles, Matt Burke, Kevin Seymour, Kevin O'Flaherty, John Brislane, Robbie Tynan, John O'Flaherty (Capt).

Reps: Ignacio Failla, Jack O'Keeffe, Ivan Struzia, Oli Ayling, Sam Cusack, Liam Walsh.

Referee: George Clancy.