Barnhall 30 Cashel 17
On December 7 league leaders Instonians came to Cashel with their power-packed team that has blasted its way from junior rugby to the top of Division 2A of the All-Ireland League in four seasons, and are tipped to go all the way to the top of Division 1A in the next two years. It is an amazing story.
However, Cashel put up a very spirited performance against them and with only ten minutes remaining they were just one point behind. Unfortunately, two mistakes let the visitors in for two converted tries and a 40 points to 25 defeat.
On Saturday last Cashel travelled to MU Barnhall, based in Leixlip, for round 9 of the league. Barnhall were a club in mourning after the tragic deaths of two of their members in the previous two weeks. They are a highly- organised club, very much family-based and very hospitable. They rallied behind the families and turned up in huge numbers to ensure that the team were well supported.
Their team did not disappoint as they handed out a 30 points to 17 defeat to the visitors. To be fair to Cashel, they have been decimated with injuries all season and this resulted in a sloppy performance that sees them slip down the table to fifth position at the halfway stage of the competition.
The game was played in damp conditions, with a wind blowing across the field. Cashel’s cause was not helped by a harsh yellow card after four minutes for what was deemed to be a deliberate knock-on. Barnhall went ahead with the penalty kick.
Cashel came back strongly, as three penalties brought them close to the Barnhall line where they were penalised and Barnhall cleared their lines to touch. From the lineout Barnhall ran the ball, then sent an accurate cross kick that was caught brilliantly by their winger, who raced fifty metres before passing inside to their centre, who scored a try under the posts to put them 10 nil ahead.
The game was played at a blistering pace, with the home backs particularly quick. On 22 minutes Cashel had a lineout close to the opposition line, which they lost. Barnhall moved the ball at a blistering pace and in the blink of an eye had a try scored at the other end of the field to go 15 points ahead.
The one area Cashel dominated totally was the scrum, from which they won a number of penalties but possession was given away numerous times by losing the lineout. Ben Twomey hit the post with a long range penalty seven minutes before half- time but nailed the next one a few minutes later to record Cashel’s first points. The half time score was Barnhall 15 Cashel 3.
A feature of the half was the very high number of penalties conceded by both teams -none of them for foul play, as the game was played in a wonderful spirit.
Cashel started the second half well by winning a free kick in the scrum. The pass following a quick tap went astray, resulting in a lineout to Barnhall ten metres out. They went through the phases and scored their third try in the corner.
Five minutes later Cashel lost another lineout and as the home team attacked Cashel conceded a penalty and Barnhall were 23 points to 3 ahead.
It was really looking bad for Cashel at this stage, as Barnhall could have run away with the game. Cashel, however, rallied and put pressure on the home team. The forwards worked extremely hard but the Barnhall defence was extremely good and there was no easy route for a try.
Fifteen minutes into the second half another scrum penalty gave Cashel an attacking position. They pounded the Barnhall line, putting Alan Flannery in for a try, which Ben Twomey converted.
Cashel dominated the next fifteen minutes, winning a number of penalties, one of which resulted in a yellow card for a Barnhall player for playing the ball on the ground.
Despite their best efforts the Cashel players could not breach the Barnhall defence. With the number of penalties conceded by Barnhall in that period of the game, a case could have been made for a penalty try. It did not come and Barnhall lifted the siege, sweeping up field. From a close-in lineout they caught Cashel along the touchline to score in the corner. They converted with a superb kick from the right hand touchline. This try earned them a try bonus point win.
Cashel had the last word as time ran out. They were awarded a series of penalties late on, opting for a scrum each time. The pressure told and Joe Callery barged over for a try, which Ben Twomey converted.
As the clock went red Cashel had one last chance to attack and get a try, which would have earned a losing bonus point. The ball was kicked away and the chance was lost. The final score was Barnhall 30 Cashel 17.
This was a very disappointing result for Cashel. Barnhall were carried along on a tide of emotion and were always going to be very hard to beat on Saturday.
Cashel can take heart from a much improved second half performance. However the main takeaway from the game is the work they have to do on their lineout. They did not lack heart and have a chance to put the record straight when the league resumes on January 11 with a home fixture against the same opposition.
Cashel have slipped to fifth position in the league and are equal on points with fourth-placed Greystones, who are moving nicely along. They have four weeks to sort out any niggles and to be ready for the New Year. We wish them well.
SEE ALSO: Annerville sports awards winners in Tipperary
Cashel team (1-20): C O’Donnell, D Upton, A Shirley, B Crosse, E Kelly, A Harold Barry, R Moran, B Murray, M Strydom, T Townsend, P Leamy, J Ryan, A Flannery, B Twomey, R O’Sullivan, P Ryan, N Roche, J Callery, T Tobin.
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