Clearcut victory puts Clonmel four points clear at the top of the table

Clonmel 35 Monkstown 11

At the start of the winter on November 1, Clonmel escaped from leafy Dublin 4 with a narrow win courtesy of a late try by winger Freddie Davies.

With revenge in mind, fourth place Monkstown travelled to Ard Gaoithe on Saturday for the latest round of the Energia All-Ireland League Division 2C, as David “Statto” Hughes reminded us that the home team has never won this fixture.

This game felt like a top of the table clash from the outset, with a big crowd present as Henry Buttimer led his charges onto the pitch through the guard of honour formed by the stars of the future from both clubs.

Remarkably, there were only two changes to the Clonmel starting team from four months ago - the return from injury of Brian O’Dea and Jason Monua, and both made a big impact. In the end a powerful, accurate and committed performance saw Clonmel back up the recent victory over Thomond with as good a second half of rugby as seen in Ard Gaoithe for many years.

Joe O’Connor got the game under way, supported by a bitingly cold wind blowing down the pitch. Number eight, Andrew Daly, laid down an early marker with some strong carries. The former winger is a talisman when in this form and he dominated his opposite number from the outset before going on to win the man of the match award.

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The early threat, however, came from the visitors as a free kick at scrum time found its way into the hands of Monkstown full back Saul O’Carroll, who made 50 metres up the left wing.

Freddie Davies – another contender for man of the match - did tremendously well to cover across the entire pitch and make a try-saving tackle reminiscent of Robert Baloucoune in Twickenham a week earlier. Davies went one better, getting back to his feet immediately to turn over the ball.

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Club legend, Tom Fennessey, described the first half best: error strewn, as both teams struggled with the conditions.

The home side won the half’s big moments despite the errors. Connellan’s dancing feet won a penalty for a high tackle. Clonmel went to the corner and got over the line but the ball was held up.

Buttimer again led by example and his jackal penalty brought play back into the Monkstown 22. A slick attack by Clonmel forced the Monkstown defence to concede a penalty, which was converted by Joe O’Connor to give Clonmel a three-point lead after 15 minutes.

After the restart was kicked dead by Monkstown, Clonmel went on to set up a promising attack after a great lineout steal by Tom O’Dea was tidied up by Brandon Delicato, who made more yards as he did time and again all afternoon.

The Monkstown defence was under pressure at times but up to the job for the most part. Despite playing with the strong wind, a lot of the game was played in Clonmel’s half of the field as Monkstown enjoyed a period of dominance.

Clonmel were living dangerously but had a ferocious and mean defence, including a vital turnover in the maul by Keith Melbourne. After sustaining a period of pressure, the Clonmel attack came good on 34 minutes as a penalty kick to the corner set up the maul and, yet again this season, Delicato emerged with ball in hand having scored a try.

The try felt vital in the context of having played with a strong wind, which carried the conversion attempt to the left and wide.
The half ended with Clonmel eight points to the good. A straw poll among alickadoos from both sides felt the lead would not be enough facing into the wind, which was growing stronger.

Clonmel supporters need not have worried, despite the concession of two penalties in quick succession after the restart.
A scrum on halfway led to a thrilling early break up the middle by Jason Monua. The move was continued by Tom Ross, who ran great support lines all day and it set the tone for a terrific second half.

Despite home claims for a number of high tackles, the decisions went the way of the visitors, who got three points back with an excellent penalty from 35 metres.

Not for the first time this season, the team defending the restart were put under immediate pressure. This time Melbourne rose highest and batted the ball back to Delicato.

Monua made yet another break before offloading to the tireless Masuku. From the recycle, full back Jack Walsh carried like a back row forward and rampaged up the side.

With accuracy at a premium, a series of close-in attacks put massive pressure on the Monkstown defence. Eventually a gap appeared, allowing Melbourne to dive under the posts for a terrific team try and a straightforward conversion.

This gave Clonmel a 15 points to 3 lead, which soon became 15 - 6 after another excellent strike from a Monkstown penalty.
Clonmel responded by scoring one of their best tries of the season – again, after the restart. Delicato made the initial break before the ball found its way through a series of accurate passes into the arms of Luke Hogan, who was on for the injured Musa.

Hogan showed all his experience and great footwork to make a significant line break. Walsh arrived like a train to propel the move forward before offloading to flying Freddie Davies, who is an expert finisher. The try was converted by O’Connor to give Clonmel a 22- 6 lead.

Monkstown are a fine side and their heads didn’t drop. Indeed, they nearly replied with a try of their own after intercepting an ambitious Clonmel pass. However, Masuku was in the right place at the right time yet again and tidied up the error.
After sustaining some pressure and despite the wind, Clonmel went for the posts after winning a hard-earned penalty. It was a very difficult kick but up stepped O’Connor to drill the ball into the teeth of a gale and over the black spot to give Clonmel a 25 points to 6 lead.

Clonmel supporters celebrated wildly but could not have known that the best was yet to come. After conceding a scrum penalty just three metres out, tremendous Clonmel defence turned over the ball.

The quick-thinking Keith Melbourne popped an outrageous ball under his legs to Joe O’Connor. O’Connor made 20 metres before drawing the defender and passing the ball at just the right time to Freddie Davies on his left. Freddie was miles from home but gobbled up the ground, urged on by a crowd on its feet – it felt like the roof would come off the stand – to score an amazing Clonmel try.

It was another candidate for try of the season, the bonus point was secured and the scoreline was 30 points to 6.
Monkstown showed great spirit and worked hard to get the consolation try their play deserved from a strong maul in the 78th minute. As supporters thoughts turned to the warm clubhouse and cold pints, there was time for one more twist in this amazing half.

Monkstown continued to press hard, but the Clonmel defence remained committed. Luke Hogan turned up with a relieving run and shipped the ball to Daly. In a throwback to a previous coaching era, Daly put it out the cat flap to who else but Davies.
Despite having played 80 minutes and making some lung-bursting runs, Davies pinned back his ears and somehow made 90 metres to score a final try and secure his hat trick.

It was a thoroughly deserved win, although the scoreline was a little harsh on Monkstown, who remain very much in the shake-up for a top four finish and a play-off place.

So, with only four games left in the Energia AIL, Clonmel RFC remain top of the table, four points ahead of the chasing pack.
Next up is another home fixture as Clonmel welcome Belfast Harlequins to Ard Gaoithe next Saturday, March 7. Harlequins are a proud club and are bound to offer another big test as they fight to escape the relegation zone. The kick-off is 2.30 and the club is hoping for another large and vocal crowd of supporters.

Clonmel: Sean Sweetnam, Brandon Delicato, Jason Monua, Keith Melbourne, Tom O’Dea, Brian O’Dea, Ben Masuku, Andrew Daly, Tom Ross, Drew Musa, Freddie Davies, Joe O’Connor, Henry Buttimer (Captain), Michael Connellan, Jack Walsh.
Replacements: Liam Ryan, Davie Brennan, Conor Bowen, Luke Slattery, Luke Hogan.