Munster Express Online

Park bounced back from their recent defeat at the hands of Clonmel in the Cup to register a win in this Plate Semi-Final and helped record a double over the North Tipperary side in Nenagh on Sunday last.

As happened in the Under 19 game the home side had the better start and had Park under pressure for the first fifteen minutes. However on twenty minutes it was the visitors who got the opening points through a try by winger Tom McCarthy in the corner and a great kick by out half Tom Kiersey into the wind added the extra two points and a 0-7 lead. Five minutes later a pick up by Damien O’Dwyer from the base of a scrum on the twenty two, saw the big number eight go over unopposed under the posts to leave a simple tap over by Kiersey for conversion and a 0-14 gap. Nenagh came more into the game and hit Park with two unconverted tries through forward drives during a five minute period just before half time and cut the deficit to just four points at 10-14.

The home side were first into their stride after the break and within five minutes had gone in front for the first time at 17-14 with a converted try. With both sides giving their all this game developed into a ding-dong struggle and five minutes later Park flanker Jack O’Donoghue had put his side back in front with a try which Connor Molloy converted to leave the score at 17-21. On twenty five minutes Nenagh were back in front with another forward driven try at 22-21 but with only three minutes on the clock Park rallied and a lovely movement which saw some great interplay between backs and forwards saw full back Tom O’Hare enter the line and go over out wide for the decisive score and Park victorious at 22-26.

This was a good hard game for both sides and should stand in good stead for Park for their upcoming All Ireland Semi-Final against Galwegians next Sunday at 2pm. This game was originally fixed for Tom Clifford Park, in Limerick (Young Munster’s Ground) but the word now emanating from the Branch is that there is a strong possibility that it will be changed either to Bruff or Nenagh depending on whatever ground is available. Details will be published on the club website at www.waterparkrfc.com and on local radio.