February 1, 20192:00 pm

Newbridge RFC vs New Ross RFC – MATCH REPORT:

Newbridge were at full tilt in this game as they routed a New Ross team in every aspect of play. Team Captain Ronan Mangan lead from the front, scoring three tries of his own as Newbridge dominated this game from beginning to end. This Leinster League match in hand saw Newbridge score ten tries with eight of them converted to no score from New Ross.

New Ross lost their wing forward after only 4 minutes through injury and they dominated possession for the first 12 minutes of the match. However, once Newbridge got to grips with events prop Tomas Munita scored their first try near the posts in the 13th minute after good forward pressure. Winger Liam McGovern converted. A fine run from fullback Conor Dolan saw wing forward Brendan Tiernan go under the posts in the 16th minute for McGovern to add the conversion. In full flight now Newbridge were quickly into the running as centre Denis Oโ€™Callaghan made good headway up the pitch to give the ball to wing forward Mark Doyle to score near the corner in the 18th minute. New Rossโ€™s defence was at full stretch now when winger Liam Donovan carried the ball beating three defenders to touch down under the posts after 26 minutes. McGovern converted. Munita was yellow carded in the 37th minute. Newbridge made a number of changes now as Rory McCann came on in the second row, Paddy Commane at prop and Graham Burns at centre. With the bonus point in the bag the half time score was 26 points to nil.

The second half saw even more pressure exerted by Newbridge. They didnโ€™t have to wait very long as a neat pass from centre Graham Burns put over Donovan for his second try in the 48th minute which McGovern converted. Fergal Doyle was introduced to the wing and was quickly in the game as he followed through from a kick ahead from scrum half Mark Delaney in the 50th minute to get the touchdown. McGovern converted. Five minutes later Burns was on hand to burst through the New Ross defence to score after a good carry from second row Rory McCann. ย 

Up now stepped the Newbridge Captain Ronan Mangan as he went over in the 63rd minute for his first try. McGovern converted. In the 69th minute a quick drop off from the 22-metre line was collected by Brendan Tiernan who made an incisive run and passed to Mangan who duly obliged with the try which was converted by McGovern. Ian Oโ€™Rahilly replaced hooker Matt Duggan in the 71st minute. The final fling was made by the Newbridge scrum as they drove the opposition over the line for No. 8 Mangan to get his third try.ย 

This was Newbridge playing at their best as they completely overran the opposition. Their forwards of Mangan, Tiernan and Doyle dominated throughout while in the backs outhalf Donal Cashman was very dominant as he varied the game at every turn. Liam Donovan on the wing made some spectacular runs and full back Conor Dolan had a game to remember.

Newbridge: Brendan Commane, Matt Duggan, Tomas Munita, Oisin Howell, Rory McCann, Mark Doyle, Brendan Tiernan, Ronan Mangan (Capt), Mark Delaney, Donal Cashman, Liam Donovan, Denis Clarke, Denis Oโ€™Callaghan, Liam McGovern, Conor Dolan. Subs: Patrick Commane, Ian Oโ€™Rahilly, Jeff Draper, Graham Burns, Fergal Doyle.ย  ย 

Referee: Jason Meaney from Portlaoise.

New Ross: Mark McGrath, Jordan Oโ€™Brien, James Bryan, Rory Browne, Myles Dempsey, Foley Philips, Bryan Harte, James Ryan, David Thorpe, Michael Dunleavy, Aaron Fenlon, Thomas Ryan, Mark Wallace, Gary Murphy, Barry Walsh. Subs: Dale Redmond, Ivor Scully, Desmond Cleary.

Newbridge are away to Railway Union at Serpentine Avenue on 17th February at 2.30pm.