Young Munster undone by Nenagh Ormond late on in dramatic Munster Senior Cup semi-final

YOUNG Munster’s hopes of earning a fourth Munster Senior Cup in five years ended at the semi-final stage following a 32-31 loss in a thrilling semi-final at Tom Clifford Park.

The home side led by two points heading into the final minute, but a Conor McMahon penalty saw Nenagh to a surprise victory and secure a final meeting with Old Crescent. 

The game was a repeat of the dramatic 2023 Munster Senior Cup final when Munsters’ completed an historic three-in-a-row of Munster Senior Cup wins in the most dramatic fashion as Conor Hayes' penalty goal with the last kick of the game earned a 27-24 victory over the Tipperary side at Thomond Park.

However, it was Nenagh Ormond who secured the spoils on this occasion to book another final appearance. 

Friday night's semi-final proved a cracking contest from the first whistle with AIL Division 1B high flyers Nenagh hitting the front with the first try after just six minutes.

A knock-on in their own ’22 by Munsters' opened the door for David Gleeson to score in the left corner. McMahon added the extras to give Nenagh an encouraging start.                                                                                 

Julian Lesczynski replied from the kicking tee for Young Munster but Nenagh were soon in for another try courtesy of a powerful Robert Buckley carry. McMahon’s conversion saw the score at 14-3 to the visitors with 15 minutes on the clock.

Lesczynski added a second penalty before the Greenfields side got in for their opening try. Aaron Roulston was the scorer after a devastating lineout move. Lesczynski added the extras to cut Nenagh’s advantage to one point.

However, Nenagh extended their lead with their third try in the opening 20 minutes. A Ben Pope crossfield kick was fielded by Josh Rowland and he raced away down the left wing.

The ball came inside to McMahon, who in turn found Conor O’Shaughnessy and he touched down in the corner to leave six points between the teams

AIL Division 1A side Munsters went in at the break in front, however, with a converted Bailey Faloon score and Oisin Pepper’s try seeing them 23-19 up at the end of a breathless first half.

The second half was unsurprisingly played at a slower pace with 21 minutes elapsing before another point was scored.

It was Nenagh that broke the deadlock after another Pope kick wide was taken in by Gleeson and Rowland was on the finishing end to put the Tipperary side back in front. McMahon did the necessary from the conversion to put Nenagh three clear.

Ihechi Oji replied with a try from the kick-off for Munsters' to turn the game once more in their favour but a McMahon penalty saw Nenagh take the lead heading into the final five minutes.

Lesczynski nailed what looked to be the game-winning penalty for Munsters, only for McMahon’s strike at the death putting Nenagh into the final where they will play Old Crescent.

Young Munster: Hubert Gilvarry; Ihechi Oji, Samson Seinafo, Manuel Covella, Oisin Pepper; Julian Lesczynski, Donnchadh O’Callaghan; David Begley, Aaron Roulston, Paul Allen; Sean Rigney, Tom Goggin; Alan Kennedy, Bailey Faloon, Stephen McLoughlin. Replacements: Connor Nesbitt, Christian Foley, Oran O’Reilly, James Horrigan, Marcus Lyons, Cian Casey, Conor Moloney.

Nenagh Ormond: Josh Rowland; David Gleeson, Conor McMahon, Angus Blackmore, Conor O’Shaughnessy; Ben Pope, Charlie O’Doherty; Mikey Doran, Dylan Murphy, Matthew Burke; Jake O’Kelly, Kevin O’Flaherty; Robert Buckley, Evan Murphy, John Brislane. Replacements: Shane Walshe, Jack O’Keeffe, Fionn O’Meara, John Healy, Joseph Coffey, Derek Corcoran, Nicky Irwin.

Referee: Paudie Sheehan (MAR).