Old Crescent's hopes of historic Munster Senior Cup final success dashed by Nenagh

OLD Crescent RFC’s hopes of earning a first ever Munster Senior Challenge Cup success were dashed following a 32-20 loss to Nenagh Ormond in their novel final clash at Thomond Park on Sunday afternoon.

All-Ireland League Division 2A side Crescent had raced into a 10-0 lead after an excellent opening half hour but were pegged back and Nenagh were level by the half time whistle.

It was one-way traffic in the second half with Nenagh running in two further tries to win their maiden Senior Cup and ensure the Cup has headed to Tipperary for the first time.

Both sides had chances in the first 15 minutes of what was an even contest for large parts, but it was the Rosbrien club that drew first blood.

A slick lineout move 10 metres from the line between Niall Hardiman and Shane Mullaly led to a Nenagh knock-on and from the resultant scrum, Old Crescent scored.

Scrum half Gary Fitzgerald bolted down the blindside and passed to Dan Hurley, who held off two would-be tacklers, to touch down for the try. Ronan McKenna added a superb conversion to make the score 7-0 at the 15 minute mark.

Crescent’s excellence in the set piece frustrated Nenagh in the first half and further good work in that area resulted in McKenna stretching their lead with a penalty from 30 metres.

All-Ireland League Division 1B high flyers Nenagh clicked into gear soon after with a Conor McMahon penalty and then got in for their first try 

John O’Flaherty made the initial strong carry after a free kick at a scrum five metres out from the Crescent line and Angus Blackmore finished the move when the ball was moved to the right hand side. McMahon slotted the conversion to see the score 10-10 at the break.

Crescent were second best when the game resumed with Nenagh completely dominant and it was Blackmore that got in for a second try on 48 minutes.

Following a yellow card to Oisin Toland, Nenagh were camped on the Crescent line. Several darts at the line were repelled but a majestic Josh Rowland offload saw the outside centre left with an easy finish. McMahon nailed the conversion to put Nenagh seven in front.

That advantage was soon at 12 points when out-half Ben Pope was left with a simple finish in the right corner after further Nenagh pressure in the Crescent ’22.

McKenna did get Crescent on the scoreboard with a penalty, but it was brief relief as a Derek Corcoran cameo finished any hope of a comeback.

The versatile Corcoran came on at out half and created Nenagh’s fourth try with an inch perfect cross-field kick to Josh Rowland on 73 minutes to see the score at 27-12.

He repeated the trick moments later for Pope’s second score as Nenagh cruised to victory. Old Crescent did get a consolation score through Aaron Cosgrave late on, with McKenna converting, but it was Nenagh’s day for history with a 12-point winning margin.

OLD CRESCENT RFC: Ronan Mckenna; Jed O’Dwyer, Werner Hoffman, Shane Mullally, Dan Hurley; Jamie Duggan, Gary Fitzgerald; Joe Rickard, Niall Hardiman, Jake Considine; John Toland, Yasin Browne; Oisin Toland, Karl Madden; John Lyons. Replacements: Jonathan Byrne, Evan Creaven, Sean Monaghan, James McKeogh, Dean O’Grady, Aaron Cosgrave, Cathal Monaghan.

NENAGH ORMOND: Josh Rowland; Davy Gleeson, Angus Blackmore, Willie Coffey, Conor McMahon; Ben Pope, Nicky Irwin; Mikey Doran, Dylan Murphy, Matthew Burke; Jake O’Kelly, Kevin O’Flaherty; Joe Coffey, Evan Murphy; John O’Flaherty. Replacements: John Healy, Colm Skehan, Sean Frawley, Fionn O’Meara, Rob Buckley, Derek Corcoran, Charlie O’Doherty

REFEREE: Paul O’Connor (IRFU).