Silver Lining End To Clouded Season

Thank God the Government’s latest gem, “Preparing for Major Emergencies”, arrived before this Mansergh Cup final clash. Failure to claim a piece of silver at the last attempt in a season of near misses would surely rate as a Major Emergency. So, instead of training last week, the lads read the book from cover to cover. Under “Explosions and Suspicious Packages” (Page 15) we were advised to “keep calm, think before you act” (I kid you not!). One wonders how some highly-paid tactical genius thought of this. Thankfully he is not in charge of rugby here. At this critical point Clonmel would surely have regarded Clanwilliam as a “suspicious package” but appeared calm and prepared as they faced up to the home side last Saturday evening.

Clanwilliam kicked off with the wind on a dark overcast evening and it was soon clear that the forward battle would be evenly contested. Clan’s outhalf Lacey tried to kick his team into position on several occasions but overcooked efforts allowed Clonmel to clear each time. Then a nice dart down the right by scrumhalf John Long showed what the visitors could do while both Melbourne and Crosse were already settling into outstanding performances on the fringes. Clanwilliam’s lineout worked very well and they made some surges into Clonmel territory but some good bursts from Niall Grogan and intelligent kicking from Tommy Barry ensured that the game swung back and forth without either team seriously threatening the other’s line. It was a very even contest but as the half progressed it was Clonmel who served up the tastier moves – only poor handling at times prevented an opening score.

It all came right on 34 minutes – from a breakdown in Clanwilliams “22” a clever combination between Melbourne and Crosse released Long on the right wing and his jinking run brought him over on the right to put Clonmel 5-0 ahead. Clonmel were getting on top now and further breaks by Barry, Grogan and Joyce had Clanwilliam really stretched but they managed to hold out until half-time. Clonmel kicked off the second half and the pattern for the remainder of the game quickly emerged. After an early surge Clanwilliam were stuck back in their own half for the rest of the game. Clonmel were in the ascendancy now with Phil Corby, Paul McCarthy, John Long and Paudge Leahy taking turns at testing the home defence. Clanwilliam just could not make progress and had no answer to Mark Normile who made a total nuisance of himself all day.

But this is the sort of game that supporters hate – their team owning the ball and having total territorial advantage but remaining just 5-0 ahead – it’s wide open to a sucker punch and Clanwilliam almost pulled that off once or twice. Despite their dominance and pressure, Clonmel could not add to their tally. The visitors now freshened up with Stokes, Sheehan and Kelly replacing Mullan, Corby and McCarthy. Clonmel upped the tempo and subjected Clanwilliam to ferocious pressure up against their line but still the home side held out. But the pressure was telling and on 30 minutes the Clan No.8 went to the bin for 10 minutes. Clonmel kept turning the screw and a penalty on 35 minutes saw Conor Cooney put Clonmel 8-0 ahead. Relief at last.

Clanwilliam were wilting now as Melbourne and his colleagues grew in stature. As time ran out Clonmel again drove the home team back, the ball flashed right and Cooney had the guile and pace to outflank the home defence and run all the way under the posts. The conversion put Clonmel 15-0 ahead and put a more realistic reflection on their superiority during the second half. And so this Mansergh Cup victory brought the curtain down on a season which at times promised so much but instead yielded up so much disappointment. It was a great learning curve for a young team and the experience will surely stand to them. Fergus, Joe, John, Andy and the team will know that they have put down a marker on a road to greater things. Well done to all and compliments to the solid support base. Let’s hope that the 2nd XV can add to the silverware over the next two weeks.