Munster Junior League – Div 1

Fierce Rivalry Throws Up Classic Encounter!

The old Indian saying “you cannot put your foot in the same river twice” is so true in this rapidly changing world. But some things never change – when Clonmel and Cashel meet on the rugby pitch, no quarter is asked or given. The geography that has cast them as close neighbours also provides the chemistry for the fiercest of rivalries – when they meet the victory is important but the bragging rights are essential. No surprise then that a huge crowd turned up last Sunday to witness this long-awaited Division 1 league clash. Clonmel were intent on holding on to their unbeaten tag while Cashel needed redress for the Challenge Cup defeat. In the warm-up act, Clonmel 2nd XV had just defeated the Cashel 2nd XV – this would ensure a relentless effort from the 1st XV. And so it was.

Cashel kicked off and the tension was immediately evident – within 2 minutes Clonmel had conceded a penalty and Cashel No.10 Pat O’Connor put his side 3-0 ahead. But the game gurgled like molten lava when cooler heads were needed and only 6 minutes had elapsed when Neville Melbourne was sin-binned – O’Connor again added to Clonmel’s misery by adding another 3 points. 6-0 to the visitors. The regularity of blood injuries reflected the intensity of this game but it must be said that it was as good a game as has been seen in Ardgeeha for a while. Cashel’s backs looked very lively and they had the kicking talent to place the game where they wanted it – by contrast Clonmel laboured to gain field position. When Clonmel finally got into this game and applied enough pressure to extract two penalties in the 8th and 10th minutes, they were dismayed to see both of Daniel Lyons’ kicks slide wide. This was a game where every point would count.

But Clonmel were now with the pace of the game and further pressure on 13 minutes allowed Lyons to open his account. 6-3 to Cashel. The game was more balanced now but Clonmel had to fight hard for every inch of ground – captain John Long, Niall Mackey and Brendan Mullan put in great work to gain advantage and on 20 minutes Lyons got another chance which he converted to level the game at 6-6. There was nothing in this game – it was WW1 stuff – a few yards gained with great effort only to have it reclaimed by the other side. The game’s pattern was now established – Cashel kicked the ball very intelligently while Clonmel went through pick-and-drive phases to gain ground – it was knife-edge stuff – neither try-line had been really threatened and a try would have a huge impact on this game. Clonmel’s discipline was not what it should have been and the sixth penalty against them on 36 minutes allowed Cashel to edge ahead at 9-6 and that score held as half-time sounded.

The second half opened with a Clonmel drive into Cashel’s “22” but the visitors quickly turned the tables and Clonmel found themselves defending their line for the next five minutes – only stern defence in midfield by Dave Harney and Niall Grogan kept Cashel out, while, thankfully, scrumhalf John Long was always on hand to tidy up any mess. But in truth Clonmel were hanging on in this period and Cashel will feel that this was the time when they should have capitalised. A great break and kick-ahead by the Cashel No.8 looked all the way a try but he just failed to touch down. What a let-off for Clonmel. Clonmel finally got their hands on the ball and great work by Corby, Crosse and Melbourne transferred the pressure onto Cashel and they coughed up the penalty on 16 minutes which Daniel Lyons converted to put the teams’ level at 9-9. Still a long way to go – both teams gave it everything and served up a terrific (if almost unbearable!) contest.

On 20 minutes Mike Sheehan and Paul McCarthy replaced Mullan and Mackey and a big drive down the middle by Grogan and Corby had Cashel on the back foot but yet again they conceded the penalty to allow Cashel to kick them back deep into their own half – a lot of the pressure on Clonmel was self-induced and they will have to learn from this. Still nothing in it – still the teams probed for that one opening – supporters on both sides opined that they would settle for a draw – defeat just wasn’t mentioned. It would take something extraordinary to unlock this impasse – it came in the 33rd minute. Clonmel mauled their way deep into Cashel’s “22” – the ball came back to Morgan Lyons – his drop-goal attempt came back off the post and Cashel hacked it clear, but Clonmel gathered and came back at them – the ball came back to Morgan Lyons who stood up the Cashel defence before feeding brother Daniel who went over on Cashel’s left side. Try! Was that it? The failed conversion attempt left Clonmel leading 14-9 with seven minutes (or was it seven days?) remaining.

Cashel hit back with everything and again their backs posed a huge threat – Clonmel at times assisted them by trying to play open rugby when clearly “up the jersey” rugby was called for. Clonmel absorbed massive pressure and conceded three penalties in as many minutes – a kick was no good to Cashel and they tried their hearts out in their efforts to breach the home side – but as they have shown so often this season, Clonmel are not easily breached. At last the referee closed what was an enthralling encounter and Clonmel maintained their winning streak.

For Clonmel, it will be a cup final every Sunday from now on, starting in Kilfeacle next Sunday – forget whatever plans you have – we need every supporter in Kilfeacle – this team deserves it. One game at a time.