Prodigal sons return to Nenagh Ormond as Blackmore commits for another season
Nenagh Ormond have secured the services of two former clubmen, and have retained a fan favourite, as they build up their squad ahead of their first season in the division 1A of the All-Ireland League.
By Shane Brophy
Second row Kevin Seymour returns to where he began his career after spending the last seven seasons with Garryowen where he made over 150 appearances for the Dooradoyle outfit, including a spell as skipper, winning a Bateman Cup in 2019 and a Munster Senior Challenge Cups in 2024.
His addition beefs up an already strong second row which includes captain Kevin O’Flaherty and Jake O’Kelly who were the first-choice partnership last season, but there were also strong contributions from Craig Hannon and Munster’s Fionn O’Meara.
Prop Cronan Gleeson also returns home having enjoyed a much-travelled career since starting at the age of 5 with Nenagh Ormond. He represented the Munster U18, 19, & 20 sides and also played with the Ireland U18’s.
He moved onto Shannon where he played between 2012-2014, for their U19 & 21 sides, as well as their senior side in the All-Ireland League. Following this, Gleeson headed to France and joined the Stade Montois academy in the Pro D2. After a year in France, Gleeson headed to Australia and played with Perth Palmyra before joining the Newcastle Falcons in the English Premiership for the 2015/16 season. Gleeson ticked Spain off his list in 2017, playing with Gexto Artea before joining Connacht for their 2016/17 season as well as Old Wesley in the All-Ireland League first division, before joining Munster and playing there between 2017-2019.
Gleeson moved to the United States for the first of three stints in Major League Rugby (MLR) with Rugby ATL (Atlanta) in the truncated 2020 season, starting two games before the season shut down due to Covid. The following year, he joined the San Diego Legion, scoring his first MLR try and starting four of thirteen games.
Following this, Gleeson headed to Romania and played with ACS Tomitanii Constanta before heading back to England, playing with Hartpury College in the Championship. He then headed back to Australia and joined the Randwick Galloping Greens for their Shut Shield winning 2023 season.
He came back to Ireland where he played the first half of last season with Old Wesley, coming up against Nenagh Ormond in the AIL, before heading back to the US and the MLR joining Rugby FC LA where he made three appearances.
Winger Matthew Hodgins, who has been in college and playing in Dublin, has also moved back home, and is joined by Luke Kerr from Portlaoise who has been living in Cork and playing with Cork Con as a scrum half.
Nenagh’s top tier status has earned its first major benefit as Munster Academy prop Darragh McSweeney, who was previously with Shannon, also joins.
Nenagh’s options were further boosted by the news that centre Angus Blackmore will also return for another season after a stellar campaign by the Australian in 2024/2025 while Josh Rowland has also committed for another season.
Out half Ben Pope has returned to his native New Zealand while prop Colm Skehan has retiring to focus on his role as strength & conditioning coach, as well as his off the field health and fitness career.