Clonmel RFC Flying High

Last weekend was a memorable on for the men and women of Clonmel RFC with the J1 side making a superb start to the All-Ireland provincial league campaign and the women’s team clinching the Dibision 1 Munster title.

Report courtesy of Paul Condon, Club PRO

All Ireland Provincial League Championship Play-offs
Having won the Munster Junior League Division 1 title for the first time in the club’s history, Clonmel got off to a great start in the All Ireland Provincial league campaign with a comprehensive 40-0 win at home to Connacht champions Connemara last Saturday. In pretty blustery conditions, the game got off to a slow start with both sides coming to terms with the wind which was making kicking and line-outs difficult. Possession was traded in the opening fifteen minutes until a break by Alex Sheehan saw him cross the line for the opening try of the game which was converted by Conor Cooney. Gareth Mulcahy followed with a great try (below) to get on the scoreboard, with Cooney converting. Clonmel led 14-0 at half time.

Connemara piled on the pressure at the start of the second half but solid defence by Clonmel kept them at bay. On fifty five minutes Daragh Foley added a further try for Clonmel to be followed quickly by Conor Cooney scoring and converting his own try. Clonmel led 28-0 on 63 minutes. Dylan Cadogan and Ronan Crosse both added additional tries and Conney added another conversion. Clonmel ran out 40-0 winners in their opening game. The team travels to take on Leinster champions Dundalk in the second game on April 11. Kick-off in Dundalk at 2.30pm.

This Sunday, Clonmel host St Mary’s in the Munster Junior Cup. Kick-off at 2.30pm.

Clonmel RFC Women crowned Munster League Champions
Clonmel’s women’s team ended a very successful Munster League Division 1 campaign on Sunday last when they overcame league rivals Thurles to take the title with a 22-10 winning margin in Cashel. In front of huge local support for both sides the opening half was a tense affair with Thurles on the attack from the outset opting to play with the advantage of a very strong wind. Clonmel’s defensive play was a huge element of the game and score saving tackles being put in across the park. At half time a single try by both sides meant the teams went to the break at 5-5.

Playing with the wind in the second half, Clonmel upped the pressure and added three further tries and a conversion to a late in the game try by Thurles. Clonmel try Scorers were Danni Delahunty, Mairead Comerford (2), and Aoife Cronin with Lisa Tobin adding a conversion. The Cup was presented to captain Mary Gorey by Jim Gibson, Chairman, Munster Rugby Women’s committee. Geat also to see Irish women’s team captain, and former Clonmel player, Niamh Briggs on hand to savour the moment.

The win makes it a unique double for the club with both the senior men and women winning their respective Munster league titles in the same season.

It’s back to Munster Cup action for the women’s team next when they host Bandon in the semi-final of the Munster Women’s Cup on April 12^th. Kick-off in Clonmel at 1pm.