Garryowen’s first-half display too much for Ennis

Garryowen     35       Ennis    19
DESPITE a strong second half performance from Ennis, being behind 24-0 at half time in this U-13 tie proved too much a deficit to pull back.

 

Ennis were left shellshocked after a decent start which saw them put Garryowen under pressure and they conceded two breakaway tries to a very strong Garryowen midfield. Ennis continued to go through the phases but without taking advantage of possession, conceded another two tries late in the half.

It is a testimony to the Ennis group that they rolled up their sleeves in the second half and, at one stage, were within 10 points of their hosts.

A great second half forward display, where they must have had 80% of possession, gave Ennis hope with tries from Aaron Hennessey, Eoin Clancy and Stephan Dolan, two of which were converted by Tom O Brien.

This is the first defeat for this group this season and indeed they have not been defeated in 2012. This game will surely stand by them in the coming games.

Ennis: Aaron Hennessey, Martin McCormack, Eldon Nolan, Eoin Clancy, Stephan Dolan, James Nugent, Elias Kunz, David McNamara, Oisin Mangan, Tom O’Brien, Shane Brennan, Philip Talty, Frank Roche, Morgan Garry, Sean Dolan.
Subs used: Liam Wall, Darragh Slattery, Eoin Wallace, Gerard Kavanagh and Paul Tuohy.

U-13 friendly
ENNIS U-13 conference side played a friendly away to Garryowen on Sunday in Limerick. It was a well fought, entertaining game in which 23 players in total took part, with Garryowen eventually winning out by three tries to two.

Ennis started well taking the ball on in the forwards with Gavin Lawlor and Edward Purcell doing well. They were ably assisted by Harry Talty and Shane Vaughan.

Garryowen scored from a sweeping back movement, not helped by a few missed tackles. They followed this up with another try from the backs.

Ennis responded with a forward movement resulting in a try by Jack O’Reilly following a storming run, assisted by Edward Purcell.

Ennis had a period of good possession where the ball moved well in the backs by Marc Barry at scrum-half and Ross O’Flaherty at out-half. The match finished with both sides exchanging further tries, with Jack O’Reilly bagging a second.

The Ennis panel included Gavin Lawlor, JP Neville, Harry Talty, Shane Vaughan, Tadgh Clune, Eddie Jennings, Eoin Martin, Barry Neylon, Mark Barry, Ross O’Flaherty, Aidan Jordan, Gavin Carr, August Steenstrup, Conor Grogan, Zak McDonagh, Jack Hanrahan, Ben Leyden, Evan Twomey, Eanna O’Donoghue, Sam Hynes and Shaun Mullen.

Fixtures
CLARE clubs will be in action in the U-13, U-14, U-16 and U-17 leagues this weekend. Kilrush travel to Coonagh to play Shannon in the U-13 conference at 11.30am on Saturday.

In the U-14 league, Ennis will have home advantage against Old Crescent at 11am, while Ballina-Killaloe will be away to Thomond at the same time.

In the U-14 conference, Kilrush will have home advantage against Richmond at 11.30am, while the West Clare club will be at home to UL bohs at 12 noon in the U-17 league. In the same competition, Ennis will travel to Derryknockane to play Young Munster.

In the U-16 league, St Senan’s will play Ballina-Killaloe at Shannon at 12noon on Saturday.

League Action
IN the Munster Junior League on Sunday, Ennis will travel to play Thurles in Division 2, with the kick-off at 2.30pm.

In Division 3, Scariff will be away to Corca Dhuibhne at the same time, while Kilrush will have home advantage when they entertain Cork side Ballincollig.

On Saturday, St Senan’s will travel to Coonagh to play Shannon in the Gleeson League at Coonagh at 2.30pm.