AIL 2025-2026 Round 7 – First XV v Nenagh Ormond RFC
St Mary’s College RFC V Nenagh Ormond RFC
49 15
Energia AIL Division 1A
Saturday 29th November 2025
Templeville Road
Preamble
It is a considerable time since we played against a team in the AIL for the first time. All were very happy to so do, as the club shimmered with excitement. On a cold November day, our charismatic President Gareth Logan, welcomed Nenagh’s President, Tony Wells and his committee, with true warmth; and expressed his joy at witnessing the robust growth of rugby union throughout the island and the remarkable development and progress of Nenagh Ormond.
The club was looking sparkling and renewed, with the innovative layout of the campus. The car parking is now cleverly juxtaposed to give an appearance of space and facilitate drivers. Inside, there was a festive feel. The Sean Lynch bar was effulgent with a fine new floor. The club is greatly indebted to Senior Manager Paul Pender and former president and current Club Assist Chair, Gareth Roche. Both volunteered their professional skills and networks to choose and lay the floor and selected the décor and colour scheme. The decoration was carried out with the aestheticism and patient endeavours of dedicated Gillian Shakespeare, Rebecca Edgeworth, and her young children who worked hard, and Peter (Pokie) O’Kelly. It is beautifully adorned à la mode. It must noted that Morgan Crowe and Aaron Hudson, two highly motivated and dedicated members, most generously sponsored the procedure. The outcome was the subject of great admiration as indeed, was the enthusiastic dynamism of the current volunteer cohorts, which is tangible in every corner and aspect of the club. With that certain season accelerating down the road there was a strong aroma of celebration. Change and time are exactly one; a synonymy.
Overall
On the field, too, there were extra things to celebrate, particularly as Myles Carey, who has been extraordinarily good this season, was earning his 100th AIL Cap. It shows consistency, determination, outstanding ability and club loyalty to attain this formidable award. Within this squad, he follows the inspirational Tom O’Reilly and brilliant Captain, Conor Dean, as a centenarian, and it was clear how very much it meant to him on a proud day for him and for his dad Milo, who attends almost all the AIL games. His promising brother Eoin, no doubt, will have been inspired by Myles. Myles has been part of that team that has been maturing and developing since his joining for season 2017-18, pre-COVID-19. Having returned last season from a short sabbatical in Australia, he has leapt even further forward in every aspect of his game and has also developed physically. He has purple pace, vision, extreme athleticism and hunger for the line. He is a major asset to the squad and has thrived, working under brilliant head coach Mark McHugh. It must be said that as a person, Myles is a deeply intelligent, kind, affable and gregarious young man, who is full of joy.
Once again today, Myles thrived as he cut the defence open, covered assiduously and scored two fine tries, and combined with exciting winger, Stephen Kennedy and highly effective Rob Gilsenan, in a remarkable inside offload for Rob to score a superb try. Myles was clearly outstanding and most deservedly received the Manverton MoM Award, to add to his Centenary Cap to the tumultuous acclaim of his fellow players. (See Photos Myles, Milo and President).
It is interesting to note, and speaks loudly of our president Gareth, for he played on a number of occasions in those AIL matches, with Myles. The President, Gareth and the Club Captain Conor Dean, have also played AIL together on a number of occasions. This is certainly unprecedented within our club, and it is very hard to imagine that it has happened, elsewhere to any extent, if at all. Mirabile Dictu
The reaction to Myles from his teammates, Coaches, Managers and the wider club membership and supporters was one of absolute elation, and showed the immense affection and admiration they all hold for Myles.
This handsome win was full of bounce and exuberance. It has to be said, that Nenagh never flinched nor bowed, and kept going right to the end, when they added two deserved tries to their early penalty. They certainly could have added one more try with a touch of fortune. They have some really strong players, and when they add to their squad with some more high-quality players, they will be a fine addition to the AIL 1A. Today, St. Mary’s were ahead in all aspects of the game with a dominant scrum and too much firepower for the visitors, as the score indicates. Nenagh have a big muscular pack and a tidy lineout. Hopefully, they will be able to reset after Christmas and retain their 1A status as we need a wide geographic spread. It was encouraging to see George Clancy still refereeing AIL, and he was well received and, of course, was exceedingly pleased to meet again, charming, efficient and diplomatic Referee Liaison Officer, Ian Bloomer.
The home team was humming, with many uplifting displays of skill and teamwork. It was one of those games, with the 21 players all tops, and where it is almost invidious to mention special performances. The back three were whirring, with Aaron O’Sullivan continuing his progress, scoring two fine tries, assisting in more and very involved. A mention of another of our revered Kennedy clan, Stephen, son of former fine winger John, making his second start in AIL. He acquitted himself with notable promise and took his try with élan. At 15, Mark Fogarty, was simply brilliant, he is, of course, one of the titanium trio. He was highly involved in all aspects, and his stunning contribution to the fourth try was coruscating.
Dan Goggin is always an exemplary team player and leader, when at 12 or at a therefore seemingly anomalous position as 8. He was today a marauding menace and torpedo tackler, with some telling tactical kicks and perspicacious passes thrown in; He is a pure treasure.
When a player makes seven conversions from seven tries it says much about his dedication and character. Mick O’Gara (MOG), needs no encomium; his play mode and team contribution speaks for itself. He switched from 12 to 10 today and put not a foot wrong, nor pass, nor kick astray. He was terrific as usual. How he can be such a paragon of gentle kindness, with unending bravery, is a lovely question. We can just say thank you, Mick.
His partner Rob, enjoyed himself today, with the game loose for long periods and a goodly supply of disencumbered ball, with which he made good use he had a fine game. He was whizzing round, and due to his diligence, he was there to take that superb Myles switch. He then showed how dangerous he is, as he beat the cover excellently to score. You could see that Gilsenan smile.
The pack revelled in today’s game, not that the Nenagh pack did not challenge and vie, but this blue pack is aristocratic; filled with nous, unity, skill and ruthlessness. The scrum was imperious, the interactions snug and the cover defence adamantine.
The front row of Tommer, Jack and Mighty Mick, was unstoppable, they crunched all in front of them in the loose and tight and defended hard. A super performance and the most reassuring thing was that when the bench came they too were superb, what a talent, Andrew, Richie and Oisin K. The second row of Greg and Daniel (Leaner) Leane epitomise the quality of this team, Greg is the control centre of the pack. You can almost hear the cerebral whirr as he plots and effects. He was excellent in the tight and all round too. Daniel Leane was full of diligent excellence in all he did, with a faultless lineout effort, scrum shove and maul might. But his overall play was artistic and inspirational. He was snatching, scooping and catching ball in the open, as he curved past defences, sliced through gaps and loped through tacklers; a natural talent. There is probably not a better back row in AIL, and the most exciting aspect is that there are several combinations and switches, all in the superlative range. We have seen the wonder of Josh’s incessant work-rate, his honest set-piece contributions and his awesome power; unsurpassable! Finn has had to wait his chance and has hugged it when he got it. He shows a magical ability to squiggle through invisible gaps and be there just when needed in attack or defence. He is a true seven, with the necessary attribute: bilocation! He was very good today.
Ronan is the complete rugby player and the consummate back five exponent; on top of that, he is a true leader. He is full of exuberance and adventure. His crashes, either through or against, are terrifying to behold, he is fearless. He must have a built-in nuclear reactor; one of our truly great players.
As mentioned, the replacements all came on and with them a resurgence. One of the reasons that we have thrived in 1A since our return is the quality and depth of our squad, which can be credited to the prescience of the recent presidential hierarchy, the DoR Alan Shirley, and Head Coach Mark McHugh.
Adam McEvoy has been making steady progress since joining the club and has shown his ability to play outhalf as well as scrumhalf, his kicking is an added bonus, and he was comfortable, composed and contributive on introduction. It was too a real boost to see Exocet-Ethan coming onto the field. Another of the Titanium Trio, the explosive power and pace of Ethan is famed and admired. Today that showed. He will now be back to full turbo power and he is a marvellous asset to any team. Super underage flying winger Zack Hopkins also made his mark when he came on and he has a big future in the club. He has that top winger pace and nose for a break. There is an aura of excitement about him.
Scores
The pitch was in excellent condition in spite of earlier rain. Marys played up towards the Cabbage Patch End. After initial back and forth, the home side started to up the pace of the game and on 14 minutes there was a series of rucks with fine long passes from Rob to keep the momentum, it then went right to left hit Fogey and he put real umph on it, he slipped past the first line defence and fed Aaron, who fairly whizzed past he cover and scored in the Cabbage Patch Corner. Far out it might have been but MOG made it 7-0.it was 17 minutes and Nenagh converted penalty, 7-3.
On 24 minutes, Myles made a 25 metre break and the forwards took it on to near the line, it came back and MOG flipped the ball to Myles and he went low on an acute vector and scored just outside the posts; it was 14-3. The next score was a gem. Nenagh attacked and kicked towards Carvill Corner, Fogey got back fast to prevent touch and set off. He left two defenders for flat and went up the wing at Mach 1, gave to Flying Aaron he put ten on it and drawing the defence, he slipped it inside to Myles. He just exploded into action and flayed the defence, flying in under the posts. 21-3. Then, 35 minutes after good work from Leaner, Ronan and MOG, getting the Marys team to the Nenagh 22, the ball came across to Myles, he looped wide, broke the cover and flicked it inside to alertly following Stephan Kennedy, made ground and gave to Rob who zoomed in at the Well Corner. And guess what MOG split the posts from wide out. 28-3.and then it was half time.
When there was 48 minutes gone a strong series of rucks and carries the ball went out at pace, Josh remarkably stayed out of touch when tackled by two and he got it back to Myles who passed to Leaner on a sharp vector went in at Carvill Corner. Guess what, MOG hit it true and over 35-3. Five minutes later, when playing advantage the ball went out to the wing and young Stephen took the pass and used his pace to score in Carvill Corner; John Carvill would be so very happy. It was 42-3.
At the mark of 58 minutes after strong rucks and takes, once more the ball went flashing out. MOG swivelled and gave Myles the ball he fed Aaron and from the 22 he scorched over for the last blue try of the game and it was 49-3.
Naturally, the pace dropped a bit but not for Nenagh and they battled bravely on and got two well deserved tries on 73 and 80 minutes to leave the final score 49-15.
Epilogue
Well there was uplifting excitement, with players, and supporters all happy and celebrating. At 5.30 PM, President Gareth made the presentations and switched on the lights to indicate that Christmas celebrations at the club are in train. He has an ability to imbue the atmosphere with a warm positivity. It was good to see generations of Mary’s there all happily chatting, with the Logans to the fore and also the Kennedys, Fanagans, Brennan/Fallons, Sweeneys, et al. Players’ parents were there in numbers, Brian and Laura Watters, the Gilsenans, O’Reillys, Corcorans, the Careys, the McCormacks (G-Mack), the O’Garas and others. It was sad to hear that Liam Corcoran, a very fine, big strong and talented second row, is retiring from playing.
Former fine fullback to the 60s/70s Charlie Mullaney home from Boston was there purchasing a tranche of your club, your country tickets through the good offices of Sarah Fallon’s young daughter (good to see the younger generation helping). Charlie was there with Robin Bailey and his wife Kathleen and Ian Bloomer. Michael (the Fish) Corcoran and Greg Maher were chatting with Kevin Conboy and former president Mattie Jones, while Del Boy and Mullers were discussing bicycles (amongst other things) with Mick Fearon, while Dave Donohue was standing guard. The committee members were mingling with the Nenagh alickadoos. Spike was treating himself to a Smithwicks in a mug, while Aoife was working out a calculus problem while chatting to Quinner and the Stapletons, who with Gary Croke and the crew had spent the afternoon manning the gates. G-Mack and his gang were dissecting the match, as Barney was dissecting someone’s character, while looking for mischief and whoever he might annoy. JB’s gang were perched on stools in their corner. While this was all in the Centenary Bar, TBM, Mick the Medium, Paul Brady and Time-Warp, looking for different company, were in the Christmas sparkled, Sean Lynch Bar.
Then all enjoyed greatly, the outstanding St Mary’s College Choir’s beautiful performance. Happiness rang out and all proclaimed within: – We care!
Remember we head to our good friends of Ballynahinch next Saturday. You may feel it is nearing Christmas so I must get a present for great aunt Augusta. Do, but not next Saturday, your team needs you do make your way to Hinch and Do it for Deano
Team (12 changes during the game)
15 M Fogarty, 14 S Kennedy, 13 M Carey, 12 D Goggin, 11 A O’Sullivan, 10 M O’Gara, 9 R Gilsenan, 8 R Watters, 7 F Burke, 6 J Gimblett, 5 D Leane, 4 G Jones, 3 M McCormack, 2 J Nelson-Murray, 1 T O’Reilly, 16 R Bergin, 17 O Kearney, 18 A Sparrow, 19 E Baxter, 20 A McEvoy, 21 Z Hopkins.
D O’Brien.
