(U13 North Munster League Champions)
U13: The under 13 Galacticos entered the business end of the season in some style in an epic League Cup Final where they eventually overcame an impressive Shannon team. Having beaten Shannon in the Pat Lawler Final and the group stage of the league, the Nenagh management team led by head coach James Cullinane knew that Shannon would come out all guns blazing to stop Nenagh. The trophy is well treasured in North Munster as it is the first year of full 15 a side and full rules so many players have great memories of this competition and it is very hard to win with some illustrious names including Irish internationals and British and Irish Lions having won and lost finals down the years. Nenagh have never won this particular one so it was another first for this outfit as they ran out 41-35 winners and won it at Shannon’s home ground to boot with the venue having been fixed weeks in advance. Nenagh fell behind to an early score and went 7-0 down in the first few minutes. However this spurred the Nenagh men into action with Michael Cullinane and Hugo Stanley getting close and the front row of Liam O Meara , Justin Ziolonis and George Graham doing trojan work in the tight, we found a platform and were able to play on the front foot. With Christopher Ryan and Robbie Powell pulling the strings, Nenagh scored 4 tries with 2 converted including an impressive individual brace from Aidan O Gorman to race into a 24-7 half time lead. However Shannon weren’t going for a 4th title in 5 years for nothing and they raised themselves up to score 3 quick converted tries to go 28-24 up just after half time. Shannon were always going to come back and it was really lack of concentration that allowed them to come back into it with some soft tries allowed. Nenagh played all the rugby for most of the game and now found themselves behind. However since these lads have been under 7 we have suspected they might be different gravy and like they have done all season they dug deep in the face of adversity, away from home once again and they then went up another gear. Some excellent play from our back row of Jack Comerford, Eoin Hogan and captain JP Callahan forced Shannon onto the back foot and some good carries from Mackenzie Koh gave us the forward ball we needed. The Eire Óg 12/13/14 combination of Paraic Sheehy, Fionn Tucker and Evan Jones played out of their skins and caused Shannon all sorts of problems,with special mention to Fionn Tucker who was a doubt right up to the warm up with an ankle injury but played a blinder. The introduction of fresh legs through Gavin O Brien and Ben Platt in the back line gave great impetus with Tommy Ryan and Enda Maxwell doing the same in the forwards. We played some of our best rugby of the year and scored 3 tries with one converted to power into a 41-28 lead. The finish line was now in sight but Shannon
U13: The under 13 Galacticos entered the business end of the season in some style in an epic League Cup Final where they eventually overcame an impressive Shannon team. Having beaten Shannon in the Pat Lawler Final and the group stage of the league, the Nenagh management team led by head coach James Cullinane knew that Shannon would come out all guns blazing to stop Nenagh. The trophy is well treasured in North Munster as it is the first year of full 15 a side and full rules so many players have great memories of this competition and it is very hard to win with some illustrious names including Irish internationals and British and Irish Lions having won and lost finals down the years. Nenagh have never won this particular one so it was another first for this outfit as they ran out 41-35 winners and won it at Shannon’s home ground to boot with the venue having been fixed weeks in advance. Nenagh fell behind to an early score and went 7-0 down in the first few minutes. However this spurred the Nenagh men into action with Michael Cullinane and Hugo Stanley getting close and the front row of Liam O Meara , Justin Ziolonis and George Graham doing trojan work in the tight, we found a platform and were able to play on the front foot. With Christopher Ryan and Robbie Powell pulling the strings, Nenagh scored 4 tries with 2 converted including an impressive individual brace from Aidan O Gorman to race into a 24-7 half time lead. However Shannon weren’t going for a 4th title in 5 years for nothing and they raised themselves up to score 3 quick converted tries to go 28-24 up just after half time. Shannon were always going to come back and it was really lack of concentration that allowed them to come back into it with some soft tries allowed. Nenagh played all the rugby for most of the game and now found themselves behind. However since these lads have been under 7 we have suspected they might be different gravy and like they have done all season they dug deep in the face of adversity, away from home once again and they then went up another gear. Some excellent play from our back row of Jack Comerford, Eoin Hogan and captain JP Callahan forced Shannon onto the back foot and some good carries from Mackenzie Koh gave us the forward ball we needed. The Eire Óg 12/13/14 combination of Paraic Sheehy, Fionn Tucker and Evan Jones played out of their skins and caused Shannon all sorts of problems,with special mention to Fionn Tucker who was a doubt right up to the warm up with an ankle injury but played a blinder. The introduction of fresh legs through Gavin O Brien and Ben Platt in the back line gave great impetus with Tommy Ryan and Enda Maxwell doing the same in the forwards. We played some of our best rugby of the year and scored 3 tries with one converted to power into a 41-28 lead. The finish line was now in sight but Shannon
have a great never say die tradition and forced another try with minutes on the clock. Cue squeaky bum time as Alex Ferguson would often opine, but our lads had too much and never panicked and forced Shannon back into their 22 where we managed to secure a scrum and from that Robbie Powell nonchalantly prodded the ball into the large crowd. The ref looked at his watch and blew the final whistle to scenes of absolute joy from the team as the bench and whole panel emptied into the pitch. The cup was eventually presented to captain JP Callahan and that was that, Under 13 North Munster champions for the first time. It truly was a squad effort and while not everyone gets a run in a final, it is the squad that gets you there which JP mentioned in his speech so eloquently. The lads won this playing one single home game this year due to lack of playing space, which only highlights the measure of the win even more. The team now have a cup semi final next Sunday at 11 away to Garryowen. Could an unprecedented treble be on? Come along and find out, all support would be hugely appreciated.
U9: UL Bohs hosted Nenagh under 9s for their last blitz of the season. With the sun shining for a welcome change there was a great display of rugby from both sides.
The coaches are all very proud of the progress these players have made this season. We break now for the Summer, but will be back in September again.
Thanks to the parents for all the travelling over the season & to the kids for showing up every week.
Split the Bucket: Congratulations to our most recent winner Colin McMahon. Our Split the Bucket Draw continues to hand out a minimum of €500 in prize money every week. This is our main fundraiser and supports the work of the club at all age levels. Go to nenaghormondrfc.com/products to enter and be in with a chance to win our next weekly jackpot.
Coldplay Fundraiser: Tickets to Coldplay in Croke Park this Summer are possibly the most sought after in the country right now. If you haven’t got one there’s still time to win two Premium tickets by entering our draw. For as little as €10 you could be in with the chance to win. Go to nenaghormondrfc.com/products where there are a range of entry options. Don’t miss out.
