Clonmel fade after bright start against Enniscorthy in All-Ireland Rugby League

Clonmel 19 Enniscorthy 26

Before the kick-off you couldn’t have called the result of the match between Enniscorthy and Clonmel in Division 2C of the All-Ireland Rugby League. With a win apiece from their last two encounters, Enniscorthy were also on the back of a big win the previous weekend.

Enniscorthy have gathered momentum since a poor start to the season and, before the game, sat only two spots behind Clonmel on the table.

Clonmel welcomed back Jason Monua and Tomas Stransky from injury for the front row and winger Albert Fronek returned from international duty in the Czech Republic. The natural playmaker, Dylan Cadogan, returned at full back.

Clonmel started strongly and went through some good attack, winning lineouts and getting decent ball out to the backs. A few minutes in, an infringement by Clonmel gave Enniscorthy the first scrum of the game. Clonmel laid down a marker, as Enniscorthy had to reset several times.

With alternating pressure, the teams went back and forth with the boot before Clonmel were awarded a lineout on the 22. Enniscorthy were now down to 13 men, with two in the bin. As Clonmel’s attacking momentum gathered pace, winger Freddie Davis took full advantage and jinked left and right before scoring under the posts for Clonmel’s first try. Joey O’Connor converted the extras and Clonmel were 7-0 ahead.

Clonmel continued to attack. They won a penalty and kicked for the corner. Following the lineout they mauled over the line, with hooker Branon Delicato touching down for Clonmel’s second try. The conversion was missed but things were looking good, with a 12-0 lead on 17 minutes.

Clonmel continued to dominate and when Enniscorthy started to attack, centre Henry Buttimer rucked over the ball and won a penalty. Clonmel kicked for the corner but failed to find touch. It was the start of a scrappy, unsettling patch of rugby for the home team.

Some harsh decisions followed. Bobby Doherty made a fantastic tackle into touch but was penalised for a high tackle. And when Clonmel did win another penalty, again they failed to find touch with the boot.

Enniscorthy took full advantage of these mistakes and started to grow in confidence. At this stage in the game, any possession Clonmel had was being quickly turned over. There were constant steals in the line and their counter rucking was superb. And despite the scoreline, Clonmel were starting to look ragged and desperate.

It wasn’t surprising when the visitors scored and converted on 33 minutes and continued to attack. As they pummelled the Clonmel line again, Clonmel were penalised for collapsing the maul and lock Diarmuid Brannock was sent to the bin.

However, Clonmel didn’t lie down and booted down the pitch into the hands of the Enniscorthy winger. Clonmel winger Albert Fronek pushed him into touch. The visitors took a quick tap and kicked a 50-22. It was 38 minutes on the clock and the momentum turned, as if on a sixpence, in favour of the visitors.

Things were starting to look ominous as they drove again for the Clonmel line. A strong defence by Clonmel followed but it wasn’t strong enough and on the stroke of half-time they were rewarded with a second try, which they failed to convert.
The teams went into half-time all square and one could have argued that it was all to play for. But things didn’t look comfortable for Clonmel.

Enniscorthy started the second half strongly and attacked from the outset. Clonmel defended well on the line and for several minutes at the start of the second half kept Enniscorthy out. But they were awarded a controversial penalty try, with Joey O’Connor sent to the bin. They led 12-19 after 49 minutes.

The visitors continued to make the extra man count and continued with the attack. They were awarded several penalties in quick succession. On 63 minutes they crossed the line again and converted. And it wasn’t until the last quarter, when Clonmel emptied the bench that they found attacking form again.

They had some strong carries in the closing quarter and Andrew Daly at number eight made some great ground. Young Tim Nugent at prop and Michael Connellan on the wing were very impactful off the bench and were a large part of the switch in momentum, which put Clonmel back into attack.

On the back foot, Clonmel had to capitalise with the ball in hand and keep possession. They made yards up the pitch in their best play of the game. With 73 minutes on the clock they were rewarded with a second try from winger Davies and O’Connor kicked the extras.

At 19-26 down, Clonmel needed to go again but despite a valiant effort in the dying minutes, they just couldn’t find a way to cross the line. It was the story of the game when, with the clock in the red, Enniscorthy were awarded a penalty and they duly kicked the ball out.

It was a disappointing performance by Clonmel, who are better than this, and while they were awarded a losing bonus point, they remain in fifth position in the All-Ireland League table, five points behind Ballyclare in fourth.

They take a break now for their third round of the Munster Senior League against UL Bohs in Annacotty on Saturday. They have a well-earned break the week after before their next AIL encounter away to table leaders Midelton on December 7.

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Clonmel: Tomas Stransky, Brandon Delicato, Jason Monua, Tony Cantwell, Diarmuid Brannock, Tom O’Dea, Bobby Doherty, Andrew Daly, Alex Sheehan, Drew Musa, Freddie Davis, Joe O’Connor, Henry Buttimer, Albert Fronek, Dylan Cadogan.

Subs: Tim Nugent, Ben Everard, Diarmuid Devaney, Brian O’Dea, Michael Connellan.