Tipperary team are sixth in the table in All-Ireland Rugby League Division 2C

Clonmel 10 Dolpin 10

With two wins under their belt already and a demotion from 2B last season, Dolphin RFC no doubt travelled to Clonmel last Saturday in Division 2C of the All-Ireland Rugby League hoping to make it a comprehensive three out of three and stay at the top of the league table.

However, supported by the club’s brilliant Under 9s, who performed the guard of honour, Clonmel came out on the pitch with serious intent.

The conditions were tough from the get-go and Clonmel played for the first half into a wild wind that played havoc with their lineout. The scrum was solid but neither team managed to consolidate attacking dominance for the first thirty minutes and as the dirty conditions strengthened, the opportunities for Clonmel weakened and, all in all, the conditions made for a scrappy first half.

Clonmel managed plenty of turnovers and there were some fine carries by Diarmuid Brannock and Bobby Doherty early on. Doherty made fine opportunities with his poaching and rucking all afternoon, ripping the ball away from Dolphin on more than one occasion. Ben Everard made some fine carries for the Clonmel side.

Dolphin were incredibly fortunate not to get a card for a no-arms tackle on Clonmel’s captain Henry Buttimer, which saw him replaced for the second half.

After 30 minutes, Dolphin took full advantage of the wind and found themselves down on the Clonmel line. For ten minutes before the break, Clonmel defended in an extraordinary defensive display. It is easy to praise attacking flair but it is this kind of defensive duty that kept Dolphin in touch with Clonmel all afternoon.

It was all heart by the whole Clonmel side who never gave up and Doherty, Andrew Daly, Tim Nugent and Diarmuid Brannock were especially strong on the line as they defended like battering rams. Such was Clonmel’s defensive prowess, Dolphin were fortunate to get over the line on the stroke of half-time and Clonmel went into the break 0-7 down.

Clonmel returned with Dylan Cadogan on for Buttimer. As the half opened they used the wind to fine advantage, with a 50-22 into the corner.

However, they lost the lineout and ten minutes in, the wind momentarily died and the heavens opened. It was a deluge and while it looked like it was all Dolphin with the ball in hand, Clonmel continued to snatch it here and there and upset any rhythm the Cork side had.

50 minutes in, Clonmel won a penalty and O’Connor took the three points to give Clonmel their first score of the day.
And when logic suggested Clonmel must be tiring, they upped their defence and won a penalty with 15 minutes to go. Cadogan took a quick tap and O’Connor, running a fine line, took the flying pass and raced over in the corner. O’Connor also kicked the extras in front of a jubilant crowd.

Dolphin looked like they were coming back and as the rain continued, the Clonmel crowd could only hold their breath as their out-half lined up for a dropped goal. But as he connected, Diarmuid Brannock was up like a train to block the attempt. It was the last play of the game and jubilation, like a Mexican wave, swelled in the stand.

Clonmel were somewhat disappointed that their backs didn’t get going, and that they didn’t snatch the win. But with two points earned and now standing sixth in the table, it wasn’t a bad result, all things considered. While it’s still early days, Clonmel must take heart from this huge defensive improvement.

The first team have a break now before heading to Monkstown on October 19 for Round 4.

MUNSTER SENIOR SECONDS LEAGUE ROUND 1
CLONMEL 10 DOLPHIN 7

Clonmel’s Seconds team had a fine outing in their Munster Senior League opener in Ard Gaoithe.

The rain came down in torrents for the first half, only clearing towards the end of the match. Clonmel’s set-pieces were rock solid, where they secured all their lineouts and put on plenty of pressure in the scrum.

Dolphin, with the aid of the wind, got quickly into attacking mode but Clonmel’s defence made it very difficult for them to get over the line. They eventually found a channel and dotted down with a converted try.

However, Clonmel came back in attack and with phase after phase made their way up the pitch.

Leading from the front, it was fitting that their captain Billy Coffey charged over the line for Clonmel’s winning try. Michael Connellan duly converted.

Clonmel put in a solid second half, with few mistakes and fine defence by Coffey, Jack Lane, Connellan and Liam Maher made it impossible for Dolphin to score again.

Brandon Delicato, who already came off the bench for the first team, was also hugely instrumental in keeping them out. And so the score remained 10-7 in favour of Clonmel. 

Clonmel Firsts: Tim Nugent, Jason Monua, Ben Everard, Lar Houlihan, Diarmuid Brannock, Bobby Doherty, Diarmuid Devaney, Andrew Daly, Tom Ross, Drew Musa, Freddie Davies, Joe O’Connor, Henry Buttimer, Albert Fronek, Jack Walsh.

Subs: Brandon Delicato, Tom Stransky, Rob O’Donovan, Billy Coffey, Dylan Cadogan.

Clonmel Seconds: Tom Stransky, Liam Ryan, Cian Maguire, Conor Bowen, David Coyne, Jack Lane, Tom Noonan, Billy Coffey, Ben O’Dwyer, Aidan Hickey, Dean Slattery, Zac Cahalane, Michael Connellan, Darren Slattery, Liam Maher.

Subs: Brandon Delicato, Sean McEntagert.

SEE ALSO: Social media tributes to retiring Tipperary hurling legend Patrick 'Bonner' Maher