Match report from Schira Lane (Clonmel RFC)
It’s never easy playing your neighbours. It’s harder still when those neighbours are Cashel RFC who play two divisions above you in the AIL. That they missed out only marginally to Division 1B promotion last season could further play havoc with mentality. But in Round 2 of the Munster Senior Cup, Clonmel showed no nerves as they took to the pitch for the first competitive clash between the two sides since Clonmel went Senior in 2019.
It’s a huge advantage when a coach knows their opposition as well as Cashel Native and Clonmel coach Eoin O’Connor knows this Cashel squad. He and backs coach Brandon Shanahan took no chances with their teams selection and loaded up the Clonmel pack with the fine physicality of Props Ben Everard and Tomas Stransky. After a year out through injury, it was great to see Jason Monua tog out again for the starting XV. Jason has huge versatility as a front rower and while Clonmel know him generally as a prop, it was a fierce stroke by the coaches to bulk the front row putting him in as hooker. A solid line-out thrower, he put Clonmel into fine attacking positions for the duration of his stint.
Clonmel started strong, sealing great early possession and it wasn’t long before foul play from Cashel won them their first penalty. Joe O’Connor struck it sweetly between the uprights for the game’s first score. In a match where the backs were especially creative, plenty of ball went out to the wings. Another return from longterm injury was winger Albert Fronek. Albert was lively and alert on his return and it wasn’t long after the penalty that he jinked his way into an intercept to score the opening try for Clonmel. Clonmel failed to deal with the restart and Cashel won back the kickoff. Cashel went through the phases putting Cashel centre Tom Tobin in good position to go over in the corner.
Twenty five minutes in, and despite a the general fine performance by lock Diarmuid Brannock, he was unlucky to get a harsh yellow card. Cashel made the extra man count when Tom Tobin stepped the onrushing Clonmel defence to score again under the posts. Cashel out-half Timothy Townsend kicked the conversion.
A goal line dropout by Clonmel followed. It landed right in the hands of Cashel’s out-half who took full advantage and kicked an excellent goal from halfway, leaving the score of 8-15 in favour of Cashel at the break.
The second half was a battle of defences in which neither side could break down the other. It was a credit to Clonmel that they kept Cashel scoreless for the duration of the half. Both sides had plenty of 22 entries but failed to turn them into points. The strong Clonmel pack were brilliant in the scrum and consistently fed Tom Ross great ball, giving him plenty of time to link with his out-half who gifted the backs great creative options. Andrew Daly has successfully made the move from his home at centre to No.8 this season and the change didn’t disappoint. He carried solidly, constantly breaking Cashel’s defence. The ding-dong battle continued when Cashel took possession, but the competitive edge of Clonmel Captain Henry Buttimer never let Cashel out of his sight as he chased them down all afternoon.
With ten minutes left, Clonmel found new form and a brilliant line by Joe O’Connor cut through the Cashel defence before stepping the Cashel out-half and scoring. He converted, notching up the score to 18-15. From then it was a matter of control and
playing for territory which Clonmel managed very well. Cashel were forced to play from deep and with little time left, just couldn’t break through the Clonmel defence. Trying desperately to regain possession, Cashel infringed at the ruck, giving Clonmel the last penalty of the game. Clonmel took full advantage of their 21-15 win with a rousing Slievenmon in the dressing room.
Clonmel should take great heart from this performance. They are a clever squad and will no doubt right their few mistakes. Success so often stems from confidence and focus and they should have full belief and back themselves as they start their AIL campaign away to Omagh on September 21st.
