Waterpark celebrate their success in the Munster Junior Plate final.
Munster Junior Plate Final
Waterpark 20 Nenagh 12
Waterpark ended their season in fine fettle when they were crowned Munster Junior Plate Champions by virtue of their 20-12 victory over Co.Tipperary side, Nenagh, on Sunday last in this game which was played in Clonmel.
Free from the shackles of their exploits in the junior league, this young Park side played an open brand of rugby, and over the eighty minutes were well worth their eight point win.
Park opened the scoring after only six minutes when from a scrum just on half way, the ball was moved through the hands to centre, Bill Connors, who cut back inside and outstripped the Nenagh defence to cross for Park’s first try.
Winger John Flynn slotted the conversion to leave Park ahead at 7-0.
Nenagh fought back and ten minutes later the gap was down to two points at 7-5 when they crossed the whitewash for a try from a catch and drive five metres out.
On the half hour Connors struck again when after a line out inside their own half, the Park pack drove forward and released a perfect ball to the backs for Connors to break through the Nenagh cover and race clear for his second try. 12 – 5 to Park.
However, just before half time Nenagh were back in the game with a well worked try, which was also converted to level matters at 12-12.
After the break the pattern of the game was much the same with Park on top in both the possession and territory stakes and after sixty five minutes this pressure bore fruit, when after a lineout on the Nenagh 22, the ball was moved across the back line to winger Ivan Kiersey who went over in the corner for his sides third try and with the conversion being unsuccessful the score stood at 17-5 to Park.
This score was further added to five minutes later at 20-12 with a penalty by Park out half, Geoff Deegan. At this stage with only ten minutes remaining it looked as if Park were home and hosed, but the Sin Binning of hooker, Rory Hanlon, with eight minutes on the clock, turned the tide in favour of the Nenagh side and they got a new lease of life and piled on the pressure and it was only the excellent defence by the whole of the Park team that kept them at bay until the final whistle sounded and Park lifting the Trophy for the first time.
Considering the way the season panned out for this Park team, I feel that it is testament to their spirit and loyalty to our club that they were able to pick themselves up from the despair of relegation and go out and perform as they did and score a total of seventyone points in both their games in the latter stages of this competition. It shows just exactly just what these young guys are capable of and I have no doubt that with the proper coaching they will be back in the top flight of Junior Rugby sooner rather than later. Well done guys…..
Season 2015 / 2016 Club Roll of Honour
1st XV ……. Munster Junior Plate Winners
2nd XV …… Mick Barry Cup Winners
U/18’s ….. Munster Cup Champions (Also awaiting U/18 East Munster Cup Final )
U/16’s ….. Munster Cup Champions & East Munster Cup Champions
U/14’s … East Munster Cup Champions.
