PREVIEW: Tipperary club on the brink of major history ahead of home playoff semi-final

All-Ireland League - Division 1A/1B Promotion Playoff Semi-Final Preview

Nenagh Ormond vs Blackrock College

By James Hayden

All roads lead to New Ormond Park in Nenagh next Saturday as Nenagh Ormond RFC take on Blackrock RFC with a place in the Division 1A/1B promotion final at stake.

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Both sides are no strangers to each other having served up a host of cracking encounters in recent years and it’s not the first time either side have met in a play-off semi final either with Blackrock edging out an emerging North Tipperary side in April 2023.

This season the battles between the sides have been absolute corkers, to say the least. The first Div 1B fixture between the sides in Stradbrook on September 28th last saw Nenagh edge out the home side by a margin of just two points 38-36, and just three weeks ago Nenagh Ormond overcame a resilient ‘Rock side 21-17 following an enthralling encounter at a mist-enshrouded New Ormond Park.

Nenagh’s ace kicker Conor McMahon was really on song that day, slotting three penalties and a conversion as well as finishing off a well-worked Nenagh try as Derek Corcoran’s charges staged a strong second-half comeback after trailing by just a solitary point at the break.

While a third win over the illustrious Stradbrook-based side would propel Nenagh Ormond into a playoff final with their City of Armagh or UCC, it will surely take a Herculean effort to put the James Blaney-coached Blackrock side to the sword once more.

Nenagh Ormond are no strangers to staging memorable victories though with their recent Munster Senior Cup victory over Old Crescent in Thomond Park going down as one of the most indelible days in the club’s 141-year history and the first time a Tipperary club has lifted much-coveted trophy.

Their semi-final victory over Young Munster in Tom Clifford was even more memorable as the Nenagh boys went straight into the lion’s den and came away victorious by the bare minimum following a last-gasp Conor McMahon penalty.

Nenagh Ormond are hoping to have a fully fit side to choose from come Saturday next with Colm Skehan vying with Matty Burke for a starting berth in the front row while the return of openside flanker, John Healy and inside centre Willie Coffey from injury in recent weeks has really boosted Nenagh’s cause.

Nenagh have really gelled as a unit this year under the captaincy of Kevin O’Flaherty and together with Jake O’Kelly, Joe Coffey and John Healy they provide for a formidable Nenagh second row.

John O’Flaherty at ‘eight’ has been outstanding while Nenagh’s replacements in this sector namely Fionn O’Meara and Rob Buckley have been outstanding throughout the season.

Nenagh does possess an embarrassment of riches in the back line with Angus ‘Gus’ Blackmore in scintillating form all season while David Gleeson, Josh Rowland, and Conor McMahon provide a constant threat.

The Nicky Irwin/Ben Pope combination at scrum-half and out-half has been a joy to watch all season as have replacements Charlie O’Doherty and the evergreen Derek Corcoran, and when on song all four can fashion the most intricate of try-scoring opportunities.

Blackrock will undoubtedly provide for formidable opposition and will be doing their utmost not to leave Nenagh with their tails between their legs for the second time in the space of three weeks.

Their front row trio of Andrew Savage, Liam McMahon, and Joe Byrne caused Nenagh problems in the most recent fixture between the sides with both Savage and McMahon dotting down for tries following hugely impressive Blackrock mauls and Nenagh will have to be careful not to allow ‘Rock platforms from which they can build from, especially inside their own twenty-two.

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Captain Roy Whelan at lock will have to be watched as will Jack Ringrose, brother of Irish international, Garry at scrum-half.
However, fly-half Peter Quirke really pulled the strings in New Ormond Park three weeks ago and Nenagh will have to heap pressure upon Blackrock’s talented playmaker if they are to progress to a promotion decider.

In the backs, Chris Rolland, son of former Irish and Leinster player and international referee, Alain, is capable of cutting a swathe through any side as is the centre pairing of Dave McCarthy and Matthew Dwan.

Whatever transpires next Saturday it really has been a halcyon year for Nenagh Ormond and to secure a place in a promotion final for the second year in succession would really be the icing on the cake for a side which have really impressed this year.

A real cracker is in store at what will be a packed and raucous New Ormond Park for the showdown of the season between these two impressive sides. The big question is can Nenagh pull off a hat-trick of wins over a 'Rock side hell-bent on revenge. We'll have to wait and see!