An excellent result in a typical topsy turvy cup game. Ennis were intent on gaining revenge against an Old Christians team with multiple changes.
We scored from our first attack, a move straight from the training ground executed from an attacking scrum. Ivan Tripp was the benefactor with a tidy finish in the corner. Extras just wide from Laz. 5-0 after 3 mins.
OC fail to exit from the restart and concerted pressure eventually leads to an opportunity for 3 from the tee. Kick is just dragged wide, a rare blemish on the Ennis 15s record. Ennis get their reward soon after and deservedly get over to put 5 on the board to which 2 more was added. 7 – 5 Ennis after 10 mins.
The game ebbed and flowed for the next 10 mins, some good attacking platform was Ennis was constantly testing the OC defence. Some big hits coming in from Sean Kelly and Laz stopped them at source but to Ennis credit they continued to move the ball.
A last-ditch intervention by Ivan saved a good try opportunity tracking back and intercepting an intended offload. Shortly after Liam Carty tidied up behind the line from a dangerous kick throw. Ennis were knocking on the door but credit to the OC defence which stood solid during this period of play.
A rare venture into the opposition half around the half hour mark gave us a good platform to attack, clean lineout ball meant we launched an attacking assault on the Ennis defence. A period of OC dominance ended with a lineout on the opposition 5 where we just failed to convert. Some good carries by Mark Deane and Jack Lonergan powering us close to the line.
Following the subsequent scrum and an exchange of kicks, Ennis successfully scored a try in the corner. The conversion attempt was also successful. The score was now 14 – 5 after 35 minutes.
In the final 5 minutes of the half, OC exerted significant pressure during scrum time, resulting in a penalty which Laz powered over from. The scrum consistently performed well, with the pack maintaining control over Ennis from the start. The front row deserves recognition for sustaining this performance despite several changes. The conversion attempt was just wide, leading to a halftime score of 14 – 10 in favor of the home team.
Changes were coming quickly at this point Oisin coming in for Ivan, Cian Smith into the backrow for Darragh Cole. Mark Deane in for Jack Burke, Oscar Clarke in for Dan Kelleher and Cian Walsh on for Ryan Butt. This added impetus to the OC attack and within 10 mins of the restart we had the lead. Good link up play from Jack Lonergan and Cian Walsh sent Laz clear who was able to go under the sticks. Converting his own score it was now 17 – 14 and the lead had changed hands again.
From the kick off a failed exit meant Ennis were afforded an easy 3 to draw the game level and 3 mins later their excellent kicker added another 3 from a tough angle. Score now 20 – 17 and the lad had moved back to Ennis.
Around the 60-minute mark the Ennis 9 saw Yellow for a slap down when a score looked imminent. From the ensuing scrum and multiple scrums thereafter, OC forced a series of scrum penalties resulting in a yellow for the Ennis prop and a Pen try. Another notch for the already dominant pack. Conor Smiddy, Cian Walsh and Mark Gleeson celebrated ably assisted by a strong back 5. 24 – 20 to the away side.
2 quick pens from Ennis meant the score was back to 24 – 26 and for the umpteenth time in the game there was a new leader on the scoreboard. More changes had been made with Duckser and Darragh Cole coming into the front row for Mark Gleeson and Conor Smiddy who put in a great shift.
Not to be thwarted however, OC worked their way into Ennis territory and an Ennis knock set up a scrum just outside the 22. With a solid platform the backs linked up well and sent Oscar Clarke over for 5. Conversion just sailed wide and score 29 – 26 to OC. A game certainly not for the faint hearted but any neutral at the game was sure to be entertained.
A pen was conceded at lineout time by OC in 5 from touch and Ennis 15 split the posts to tie the game at 29 all. Extra time looked sure to be on the cards.
Up stepped Arron Coade who had come on for Mark Deane to have a huge impact on the game. What looked like a straightforward exit was anything but. Coade used very bit of his frame to charge down the Ennis kicker. The ball bounced around before Jack Lonergan gratefully grasped the ball from the air and popped it down under the sticks. Laz converted for a 36 – 29 lead.
All that was left was the claim the kick off which unfortunately for Ennis went directly to number 8 Cian Smith and MOTM who put all his GAA background to good use claiming the ball and carrying hard to set up a platform to kick the ball out.
A cup game for the ages with 2 very good sides going at one another for 80 odd minutes. The prize for the winner now is another trip to Clare to play St. Senans on Jan 5th.
For OC the momentum keeps going and the positive start to the season continues. It will stand to the squad having to battle through and get the W on the road in a very tough place to goso credit to every player who was involved on the day.
All roads to the O Neil cup final this Sunday vs Kinsale in Musgrave Park at 2pm.
