Clonmel Citadel Remains Intact

Let’s face it – nobody, even the referee, knows what really goes on in that dark vortex known as the scrum once they “engage”. We get the odd insight – “Brian, what are you going to do for a face when Saddam wants his arse back?” (Peter Clohessy to his opponent, Brian Moore, first scrum, England v Ireland, Twickenham, 1994) – and that’s just the verbals. After he takes the “hit”, a prop takes over two tonnes of pressure through his back during the duration of the scrum. No place for shrinking violets – and there were none present last Sunday when Clonmel faced Bandon in this critical league match at Ardgeeha. Bandon had arrived on the back of three victories out of four outings to meet the unbeaten Clonmel – both sides were aware that a loss would be catastrophic. It was tough out there – the great home crowd weren’t spared either – the tension was almost unbearable at times – there must be an easier way to spend Sunday afternoon.

Clonmel kicked off on another perfect afternoon, but the ball was collected by Bandon’s No.4 who charged his way right up to Clonmel’s “22”, from the ruck they swung it left and only a knock-on prevented a try in the corner. A lucky escape for Clonmel, but Bandon were playing with ferocious pace and subjected the home side, who looked slightly off the pace, to ten minutes of real pressure. Finally, Clonmel pushed Bandon off their own ball, the ball was hacked down field and Clonmel made their first visit to the opposing “22”. A good run down the right by Joyce brought play into Bandon’s corner and they infringed to give Morgan Lyons a penalty chance which he converted on 13 minutes to put Clonmel 3-0 ahead. It was only at that stage that Clonmel achieved parity with the visitors, who looked like a well-balanced team. Clonmel’s upsurge was inspired by scrumhalf John Long whose feisty display throughout was a constant thorn in Bandon’s side. Clonmel stayed in Bandon’s half and when they got another penalty on 18 minutes they opted to kick into the corner – from the lineout they got a well-controlled maul going to put John Stokes over for the try. 8-0 to Clonmel

Clonmel now had a period of superiority and another big forwards drive on 24 minutes provided another penalty chance which Lyons converted to put Clonmel 11-0 ahead. But Bandon hit back at every opportunity, with their backs only being held up by great defensive work by Dave Harney and Niall Grogan. There was nothing in this; it was nail-biting stuff. The game swept up and down the field at terrific pace – any lapse in concentration would be quickly punished – on 37 minutes Clonmel were back in Bandon’s half and their pressure coughed up the penalty but Lyons’ kick was just wide. Then, as half-time beckoned, Clonmel had the chance to do serious damage when Brian Lonergan broke down the right but his reverse pass brought Joyce inside when a straight run to the corner would surely have produced the score to put Bandon’s heads down. It was not to be – half-time – 11-0 – would it be enough?

Clonmel re-started brightly but then a series of knock-ons got Bandon back on the front foot and they were then to subject the home side to enormous pressure – it told on 9 minutes when a Bandon penalty was converted to open their account. 11-3. The visitors now smelt blood and again forced Clonmel back – I don’t know what the tackle count was but Clonmel’s forwards to a man stood up and were counted. But the crack came on 12 minutes – Bandon were deep in Clonmel’s right corner – a quick transfer to the right gave them the numbers out wide and they went over in Clonmel’s left corner. 11-8. Captain John Long marshalled his troops under the posts and left nobody in doubt as to what was required. Hearts, on and off the pitch, were pounding. Just when we were considering impending doom, Clonmel responded – from the drop-off they drove at Bandon and blocked down two attempted clearances – from loose play the ball came to Lyons and his beautifully-weighted pass opened the Bandon defence to let Niall Grogan run to the posts. 16-8. Lyons’ own conversion put Clonmel 18-8 ahead on 16 minutes.

Game over? No way – lots of time left – now Bandon mounted their most concerted onslaught of the afternoon, their Kiwi outhalf danced through his repertoire, waves of attacks came at Clonmel, but the home defence was inspired – in particular the Clonmel pack were warriors to a man – tackle after tackle after tackle – I was reminded of Myles na gCopaleen’s description of epic hero Fionn Mac Cumhaill, but back to the match - it was fingers in the dam all over the place – Clonmel somehow held out Bandon until the 37th minute when they got a penalty to reduce the margin to 18-11. Still just a converted try in it – that fancy new scoreboard can be a pain – the time moves so slowly. Somehow Clonmel got back up the field and the first bit of pressure on Bandon in quite a while produced the penalty – Lyons converted on 39 minutes to put Clonmel 21-11 ahead. The insurance score left Bandon without the bonus point – no room for sentiment at this level.

The final whistle brought a heart-stopping game to a finale and kept Clonmel on top of the league – a time to savour. The break next Sunday will be most welcome and when hostilities recommence on Sunday week at home to Cashel, Clonmel will hopefully have everybody back fit and well. Thanks again to the home crowd – you were a big factor in this victory – we need you every Sunday from now on.