Nenagh Ormond Crowned Munster Senior Challenge Cup Champions For The First Time

Nenagh Ormond RFC 32 – 20 Old Crescent RFC

A new name was etched onto the Bank Of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup as Nenagh Ormond RFC were crowned champions.

Old Crescent were first to strike in the 14th minute as Dan Hurley crashed over. Full back Ronan McKenna added the extras.

Old Crescent got scores on the board again as McKenna went for the three in the 29th minute.

Nenagh Ormond earned their first points from a penalty in the 32nd minute that winger Conor McMahon slotted right between the uprights.

The Tipp side crashed over in the 38th minute, through outside centre Angus Blackmore, to bring the game level just before the clock hit the red. Davy Gleeson added the extras.

The second-half kicked off in a flurry as Old Crescent were reduced to 14 just five minutes in as flanker Oisin Toland was sent to the bin.

Nenagh made the most of the opportunity as Angus Blackmore crashed over for a second time in the 47th minute. Conor McMahon added the extras putting them in front for the first time this game.

Further ill discipline saw Old Crescent reduced once again as Dan Hurley was sent to the bin for a high hit in the 51st minute.

Nenagh were reduced to 14 in the 59th minute as hooker Dylan Murphy was sent to the bin.

Nenagh were in again in the 64th minute as a long pass from Charlie O’Doherty found out half Ben Pope in space sending him over in the corner. With just over 15 minutes left on the clock Nenagh now lead 22-10.

Old Crescent got their first scores on the board for the second half in the 67th minute as Rory McKenna sliced right through the uprights.

But the Tipp side struck twice more as full back Josh Rowland and out half Ben Pope crashed over in the 71st and 75th minute to bring the side to 32-10 with minutes left on the clock.

Old Crescent weren’t finished when with the clock in the red Aaron Cosgrave crashed over with McKenna adding the extra two.

Nenagh Ormond are the new Bank Of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup champions and are the first ever Tipperary champions in the cup’s 139-year history.

Teams

Nenagh Ormond: Josh Rowland; Davy Gleeson, Angus Blackmore, Willie Coffey, Conor McMahon; Ben Pope, Nicky Irwin; Mikey Doran, Dylan Murphy, Matthew Burke; Jake O’Kelly, Kevin O’Flaherty (c); Joe Coffey, Evan Murphy; John O’Flaherty.

Replacements: John Healy, Colm Skehan, Sean Frawley, Fionn O’Meara, Rob Buckley, Charlie O’Doherty, Derek Corcoran

Old Crescent: Ronan Mckenna; Dan Hurley, Werner Hoffman, Shane Mullally, Jed O’Dwyer; Jamie Duggan, Gary Fitzgerald; Joe Rickard, Niall Hardiman, Jake Considine; John Toland, Yasin Browne; Oisin Toland, Karl Madden (c); John Lyons

Replacements: Jonathan Byrne, Evan Creaven, Sean Monaghan, James McKeogh, Dean O’Grady, Aaron Cosgrave, Cathal Monaghan