Munster Junior League – Div 1

Clonmel Get Bonus Start

“Generals who rest on their laurels are probably wearing them in the wrong place” – Julius Caesar. Clonmel obviously have no intention of resting on theirs because they have shown great commitment since the opening “blip” (use of word “blip” by kind permission of CEO, IRFU) of the season in the Mansergh Cup. Cups are “nice to have” items while the league is the coalface, the barometer of a club’s wellbeing. So, the opening gambit, a trip to Thurles on Sunday last, was important. Thurles kicked off with the breeze on a perfect afternoon but had an early taste of the game’s pattern – they were driven back into their own “22” and conceded the first of numerous penalties. Morgan Lyons gave Clonmel a 3-0 lead after only five minutes.

The game resumed in midfield where some truly woeful kicking by Clonmel created a lottery and encouraged Thurles, but the dust was settled by a remarkable try by Kevin Harney who took off from midfield, had the confidence to back himself, fixed the opposing full-back in place and then rounded him to score at the posts – a try to grace any game. The missed conversion put Clonmel 8-0 ahead. Clonmel now have the platform, from both lineout and scrum to provide go-forward ball and the back unit need to make better use of it – some over-elaboration saw some good moves break down unnecessarily. Thurles had the potential to do damage but their lineout was predictable and pilfered regularly by Clonmel - their scrum was under a lot of pressure which led to the concession of many penalties. Clonmel squandered a few kickable chances, a luxury which could not be afforded in a tight game. But on 31 minutes a Clonmel penalty did go over to put the visitors 11-0 in front. The mixture of “old hands” like Mullan, Corby and Stokes and young firebrands like Melbourne, Crosse and Leahy gave Clonmel a potency that Thurles had no answer for and this was demonstrated on 38 minutes when Melbourne and Crosse combined instinctively to go over to put Clonmel 16-0 ahead.

We had barely stopped applauding when busy-bee scrumhalf John Long hacked downfield – the ball was gathered and swung swiftly right to a grateful David Joyce who went over in the corner to bring the lead to 21-0 and Daniel Lyons’ conversion extending it to 23-0 as half-time was whistled. Clonmel kicked off the second half and then went for their customary siesta. Thurles profited from this and gave us a cameo of their abilities when they went over for a good try on 10 minutes to bring the margin to 23-5. Clonmel roused themselves and hostilities resumed – Thurles continued to transgress and finally pushed the referee to issue a card. Clonmel got back in mode with Mark Normile and Niall Mackey doing great work – the ball was again worked downfield and again Thurles were forced to cough up the penalty which Daniel Lyons converted – 26-5. Clonmel were now playing confidently, with Niall Grogan and Brendan Leo stretching the Thurles defence at every opportunity – only stray passes kept the scoreline static at this stage. But the pressure had to tell – a Clonmel penalty was put in the corner, the resultant lineout was rumbled to the line and scrumhalf John Long sneaked over on the blind side to make it 31-5. A great touchline conversion by Daniel Lyons made it 33-5 with the final whistle approaching.

But Thurles had a sting left and the took advantage of a Clonmel switch-off to drive into Clonmel’s corner and maul the ball over to bring the final score to 33-10. The late injury to Kevin Harney and the non-start of his brother Dave will be of concern but now Clonmel seem to have the resources to overcome these setbacks. This was just the start that Clonmel needed – an away fixture and not only a victory but a bonus point as well. Coach Fergus has moulded a competent outfit here – they can look forward to the league campaign with confidence. He will be mindful though that this team is still not the finished article and will be working on some areas of weakness in preparation for the visit of Youghal to Ardgeeha next Sunday.