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Matchday Correspondent Aaron Davoren reports on UCD Rugby’s Division 1A fixture against Nenagh Ormond.
AIL Division 1A Round 2 - 04/10/2025
UCD 45 - 22 Nenagh Ordmond
UCD Bowl, Belfiled
Referee: Andrew Cole
UCD’s season is off the mark in round two of the AIL Division 1A as they beat newly promoted Tipperary side Nenagh Ormond, despite only taking the lead for the first time in the match in the 68th minute.
In what was a wet and windy afternoon, as storm Amy was on its last legs, the college were stunned in the opening twenty five minutes as Nenagh came out with energy and power, pumped up for their first away fixture in top flight rugby. It took only six minutes for Nenagh to score, as centre, Angus Blackmore, managed to get the ball over the line from close range.
With UCD down to fourteen men after Thomas Quinn picked up a yellow inside sixteen minutes, Nenagh saw an opportunity to punish the college and they did just so. A try from hooker Dylan Murphy, followed by a well taken conversion and penalty by Connor McMahon, left the home side with a mountain to climb as they were 0-17 down, five minutes before the break.
Lucas Maguire opened UCD’s scoring followed by a sin bin from a high tackle before the half time whistle.
Ahead of the start of the season, UCD captain Dan Barron spoke to FinalWhistle.ie, discussing the togetherness he feels among the new look squad this season. The second half performance from the college was a perfect indication of this togetherness as they put five tries past Nenagh. Winger Charlie Maloney excellently executed a run through Nenagh’s line which reduced the visiting team’s lead to three points. This was a decisive moment in the game that saw UCD maintain momentum for the majority of the second half, despite a hiccup in the fifty-first minute as John O’ Flaherty gave Nenagh their third and final try of the match.
Substitute Mark Canniffe made an impact off the bench as he got over the line for UCD’s fourth try of the afternoon. An excellent conversion from Paddy Clancy made it a one point game, 21-22.
At this point, tensions were high from both sections of supporters in the stands, Those in red, still cheering but evidently anxious, whereas the home fans were getting louder by the minute, picturing the inevitable comeback.
UCD’s pace and power in the second half proved to be too much for the newly promoted side. Clancy converted a penalty from the halfway line in minute 70, and tries in the 76th minute from Duinn Maguire and Daniel Hurley, at the closing moments of the match meant UCD climbed the mountain, and got their first league win of the season with maximum points, 45-22.
A special mention has to be given to flyhalf Paddy Clancy, who converted every kick he had between the posts despite the troubling weather conditions. His prolific kicking racked up the points, putting major pressure on Nenagh and was a huge factor in UCD’s comeback and the newly promoted sides collapse.
The college will hope to take momentum from the game, aiming for a top four finish this season.
UCD: 15. Charlie Moloney, 14. Daniel Hurley, 13. Tom Murtagh, 12. Daragh Gilbourne, 11. Andrew Cosgrave, 10. Paddy Clancy, 9. Thomas Quinn, 1.Tom O’Riordan, 2. Lucas Maguire, 3. Sam Bishti, 4. Donnacha Maguire, 5. Dylan McNeice, 6. Dan Barron, 7. Conor Tonge, 8.Oran Handley.
Replacements: 16. Duinn Maguire, 17. Max Doyle, 18. Jack Spencer, 19. Paul Gerard, 20. Andrew O’Mahony, 21. Mark Caniffe.
Nenagh Ormond: 15. Matthew Brice, 14. Conor O’Shaughnessy, 13. Angus Blackmore, 12. Willie Coffey, 11. Conor Mcmahon, 10. Oscar Davey, 9. Luke Kerr, 1. Mikey Doran, 2. Dylan Murphy, 3. Darragh McSweeney, 4. Kevin Seymour, 5. Kevin O’Flaherty, 6. Rob Buckley, 7. John Healy, 8. John O’Flaherty.
Replacements: 16. Robbie Tynan, 17. Niall O’Gorman, 18. Fionn O’Meara, 19. Joe Coffey, 20. Nicky Irwin, 21. Derek Corcoran.