Tullamore Rugby Report w/e 24th Oct

LEINSTER LEAGUE DIV 1.A.

CO CARLOW   18      TULLAMORE   32.

A Tullamore side coached by former Carlow star player Andy Melville beat Carlow who are coached by former Tullamore 1st team player John Burns last Saturday in the league. Both sides came into the match after important wins the previous week and this bonus point win lifts Tullamore up to third place but ten points behind leaders Boyne.

Tullamore were fired up for this match and dominated the early exchanges. Following constant attacks Cathal Feighery broke through for the first try after four minutes and Johnny Moloney kicked the simple conversion. Cyril Cornally got another try after eleven minutes after some great power play by the forwards. Tullamore allowed the home side back into the game and paid the price when a Carlow winger scored an unconverted try after twenty five minutes. Tullamore picked up the pace and intensity with Johnny Moloney kicking  two penalties to extend the lead to 18-05 at half time.

Carlow started the second half as Tullamore did in the first half. They were helped by the sin binning after two  minutes of a Tullamore forward and the resulting penalty was kicked by thehome side. Tullamore were then caught offside at a ruck under the posts and the kick narrowed the gap to six points. No sooner had the Tullamore player returned to the pitch when another forward replaced him in the bin. Midway through the half Ivor Scully intercepted a Carlow pass on his own 22 and ran seventy five metres for the decisive try of the game which Johnny Moloney converted. Ten minutes later when Alvin Bracken had made the decisive break into the oppositions 22 Moloney saw the gap and had the pace to exloit it for the bonus point try which he converted. Carlow got a convered try in injury and for a change a late opposition score did not matter.

While Tullamore need to review the penalty count and two sin binnings this was a good performance and proves that the poor start to the league was not a fair reflection of the team. John Moloney has made a big differeence at No. 10 and the distance he and Mick Brazil can kick a ball out of defence is a huge asset to the team. The pack is improving every week with all eight and replacements contributing. This is giving the backline good ball and they are enjoying the quick supply.

TEAM: 15.Mick Brazil, 14. Colin Hughes, 13. Ivor Scully, 12. Aaron Deverell,11. Mark Whelan, 10.Johnny Moloney, 9. Richie Hughes, 1. Steve McQuaid, 2. Cathal Feighery,3. Alvin Bracken, 4. Dave Hanlon, 5.Ivor Deverell, 6. Cyril Cornally, 7. David Milne, 8. Adrian Hanley(Capt).

Replacements used; Ger Molloy, Paul McNiff, Daire O’Beirne and Rory Deverell.

Co Carlow  29   Tullamore  29

Tullamore responded well to last weeks defeat with a solid performance despite disruption to the selected side before kick off.

Carlow took an early lead with a try after twelve minutes but Johnny Butler replied with a penalty within two minutes. Second row John Connolly was on hand to take a pass on the 22 and race through for a try. On the half hour mark a wicked bounce left the Tullamore backs floundering and Carlow took the easy try that they converted.

The second half was only on three minutes when Carlow struck with a penalty to extend their lead. That dynamic hooker Kevin Browne broke through for a try and the conversion from Johnny Butler levelled the scores at 15-15. A great break by Paul McNiff resulted in a try that he deserved for his display and Butler again converted. John Connolly scored a late try and the less reported on his celebrations before grounding the ball the better. Johnny again converted.

David Deering lead the backline very well as did captain Ciaran McNeill in the forwards. Kevin Browne was outstanding and new players Brian Reilly, Kevin Garry and Danny Madden were very effective. Every side neds a relable kicker and former “Garr” man Johnny Butler certainly fills that requirement.

TEAM; 15. Mick Fox, 14.Aidan Ryan, 13.Chris Gethings, 12 Johnny Butler, 11. Brian Reilly,10. David Deering, 9. Ger Wynne, 1. Ronan Scally, 2. Kevin Browne, 3. Eddie Connor, 4. John Connolly, 5.David Molyneux ,6. Daire O’Beirne, 7. Paul McNiff, 8. Ciaran McNeill

Replacements used; Kevin Garry, Danny Madden

ALL IRELAND JUNIOR CUP

Tullamore  host Sligo nest Saturday in a competition that Tullamore have done well in. Winners in 2009, Finalists the previous year and semi-finalists last year. Last year you may  recall  Tullamore lost home venue to Armagh as a result of the frozen pitches in December and January and an I.R.F.U. regulation that a cup match postponed twice  changes venue.

Sligo come to Spollenstown on a high as they are leading the Connacht League with some amazing wins. They beat Ballinrobe 107-00 and Westport 85-00 in their last match scoring 13 tries. So Tullamore beware of a capable and very confident  team.

These sides met last season in the Q/Final of this Cup with Tullamore winning 22-15 in November 2009.

At the time of going to press the appointed referee is Alain Rolland who refereed  among other big international games the last Rugby World Cup Final.

NEXT WEEKEND;

Saturday; Tullamore  v  Sligo in All Ireland Junior Cup @ 2.30pm

Sunday;  U-21 Portlaoise  v  Tullamore in Gale Cup @ 3.00pm

3rds Tullamore  v  Portlaoise in Leinster Provincial 3rds League

Provincial 3rds League

Edenderry   15    Tullamore   33.

This was certainly a game of two halves as Tullamore recorded their second win in this league. Hosts Edenderry took a 15 points to nil lead in the first half for Tullamore to respond with 33 points in the second half.

An encouraging display for the team management of captain Nigel Ravenhill, coach Nick Kearney and manager Mick Tormey.