Cashel RFC take big misstep with defeat to MU Barnhall in All-Ireland League clash
All Ireland League - Division 2A - Round 13
Cashel RFC 12
MU Barnhall 20
On Saturday last Cashel, in second place, took on third-placed Barnhall in a vital round 13 game in Division 2A of the All Ireland league. Cashel were anxious to put the poor performance at Navan behind them when they escaped with a draw.
They also needed a win to keep the gap between themselves and the visitors. As we close in on the business end of the season teams are jockeying for position and any slip up can be costly.
The rain during the week, on Saturday morning and during the first half made the pitch extremely heavy and conditions did not ensure top class rugby. Added to the poor weather conditions Cashel were missing three key players due to injury.
At the end of a scrappy error strewn game Barnhall prevailed and when Cashel, who have played some excellent rugby during the season look back on this game they will realise that it was not their finest hour-they got nothing from the game.
Barnhall started well and within three minutes had their first points on the board when Cashel were penalised for offside. The visitors used a strong kicking game to keep the home team pinned back in their own half.
However Cashel were strong in the scrum and won two of the first three. In the third a Barnhall player received a red card for an infringement during the engagement.
Cashel brought play to the Barnhall 22 but lost the ball at the breakdown. A penalty for a high tackle brought play to the Barnhall five meter line but the lineout was lost.
Barnhall cleared the danger and brought play to the Cashel 22. A high tackle gave them a penalty and they extended their lead to six points. A number of attacking positions were lost by Cashel due to bad handling.
On 30 minutes from lose play on half way Tom Tobin brought play to the 22. Michael Crosse took it on and when the ruck formed Barnhall killed the ball and were penalised. Quick thinking scrum half Kevin O'Connor took it quickly and scored a badly needed try.
Ben Twomey converted to put Cashel ahead by a point. While the forward exchanges were evenly matched it was clear the Barnhall backs were stronger. As half time approached Barnhall were on the attack.
A second high tackle by a Cashel player earned him a second yellow card which was then turned into a red-both teams now down to fourteen men. Barnhall went ahead with the penalty.
From the kickoff Cashel were awarded a penalty which they kicked to the corner. They won the lineout and mauled to the line. Mikey Wilson touched down. Ben Twomey, so reliable with the boot slipped as he tried to convert. Cashel led 12 points to 9 at half time.
Buoyed by their good finish to the first half Cashel upped their game . Tom Tobin did well to catch a high ball. Ben Twomey brought play inside the 22.
A penalty was kicked to the corner and Cashel drove to the line. Spectators close to the corner were convinced Cashel had touched down but the ball was deemed to have been held up.
Cashel were now on top and were creating chances but could not convert them into scores. Ten minutes into the game the turning point came. Cashel were running the ball on half way. A stray pass was intercepted by the fastest man on the field and Barnhall were in under the posts for a converted try.
At the time it was slightly against the run of play. They now had the momentum and it really took the wind out of Cashel's sails. The penalties began to mount up against them. From the kickoff Cashel were penalised at the breakdown and when the penalty went to the corner Barnhall trucked it up, pulled in the Cashel cover and flashed the ball to the left wing for a try.
The last 15 minutes saw both sides concede penalties. Late in the game Cashel had a great chance to score a try when they won a lineout five meters out but they lost the ball in the maul and the chance of at least a losing bonus point was lost.
Barnhall took all four points and Cashel were left with nothing. Both clubs now have 42 points with Cashel slightly ahead on points difference.
Nenagh are now out the gap in first place ten points ahead, with five games left, even though they lost in a high scoring game last weekend they gained two bonus points.
This was a disappointing result for Cashel with only two points won in the last two games. If they are to maintain second place they need to get back on the horse next Saturday when they travel to Limerick to take on UL Bohemians.
They were well in the game with thirty minutes left but lost their way when Barnhall scored the quick two tries. To be fair to all the players the conditions were extremely difficult but Barnhall handled them better.
Cashel team (1-20): C O'Donnell, C Ryan, B Ryan, B Crosse, E Kelly, M Wilson, J Ryan, C Ryan, K O'Connor, J Evenden, T Tobin, P Leamy, R Kingston, J O'Dwyer, B Twomey, P Ryan, A Shirley, B O'Connor, J Armshaw, J O'Rourke.