TULLAMORE RUGBY REPORT W/E 14th NOV 2010.

Leinster League Div 1.A

TULLAMORE   32    CILL DARA  05.

With a third win in a row in the league Tullamore have restored their reputation as one of the best teams in the league. Should they beat Dundalk away next Sunday they can climb to second in the table.

Tullamore started this floodlit match on the attack with backs and forwards combining well. After less than ten minutes Mick Brazil scored the opening try following a decisive break by Dave Hanlon and good support play. In the next attack MickBrazil turned provider with a great burst of pace and Aaron Deverell scored  the try in the corner. Johnny Moloney extended the lead with a penalty when Cill Dara backs were caught offside after twenty seven minutes. The home sides backline were proving to be a better attacking unit than their opponents and they increased the lead six minutes before the break. This time it was Colin Hughes who broke the defensive line with his pace and offloaded in the tackle to Mick Brazil for his second try of the evening. Johnny Moloney converted to leave the home team 20-00 at the break.

The second half was not as exciting as the opening forty  as lead was to big for Cill Dara to pull back even with their huge pack. When Ivor Scully intercepted on the half way line and raced away for a converted try it was game over. Moloney again converted. Cill Dara who never gave up got a consolation try with ten minutes left but Rory Deverell scored the fifth and final try for Tullamore near the end.

A good performance all round where the pack more than matched a big Cill Dara unit and the backline were on fire. Alvin Bracken, Dave Hanlon, Dave Milne and captain Adrian Hanley were excellent up front with Mick Brazil, Colin Hughes and Johnny Moloney outstanding in the backline.

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.Dave Hanlon, 7. Cyril Cornally, 8. Adrian Hanley(Capt)

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

Leinster Seconds League Div 1.A

TULLAMORE   9    CILL DARA   7

Tullamore  were fortunate to win this game thanks to a late penalty from Johnny Butler. If they had lost they would have no one to blame except the mistakes they made themselves in set pieces and open play. The result leaves them in third place and like the 1st team they can go second with a win in Dundalk next Sunday.

Tullamore took an early lead with a Butler penalty after eight minutes but all the good early work was undone midway through the first half. Tullamore lost a linout and the Cill Dara forward had a clear run for the line from the 22 and the try was converted.  Just before half time Johnny Butler narrowed the gap to one point with a penalty.

Both sides missed difficult kicks in the second half in the rapidly fading light. After the referee requested the turning on of the lights with fifteen minutes remaining so to did the home sides fortune improve as they dominated play for the remainder. They inexplicably ran a penalty but were saved with Butlers late kick.

Ciaran McNeill led by example and he was well supported up front by Keith Cleary, Paul McNiff and Daire O’ Beirne with young No 9 Ger Wynne improving with every game, Chris Gethings very reliable at the back and the boot of Johnny Butler deciding the result on the day.

TEAM; 15. Chris Gethings, 14. Aidan Ryan, 13.Rory Deverell, 12.Niall Kane, 11. Brian O’Reilly, 10.Johnny Butler,  9. Ger Wynne, 1. Ger Molloy, 2. Kevin Browne, 3. Keith Cleary, 4.John Connolly, 5.David Molyneux, 6.Daire O’Beirne, 7. Ciaran McNeill(Capt), 8. Paul McNiff,

Replacements used;Nick Berry, Kevin Garry,Eoin Kerin, Fearghal O’Mahony and Danny Madden.

NEXT WEEKEND;

SATURDAY; U-13 Tullamore  v  Dundalk Leinster Premier League @ 12.30pm

U-15 Tullamore  v  Dundalk Leinster Premier League @ 12.30pm

U-17  Dundalk  v  Tullamore Leinster premier League @ 11.00am

U-19 Dundalk  v  Tullamore Leinster Premier League @ 11.00am

SUNDAY ; Dundalk  v  Tullamore Leinster League Div 1.A @ 2.30pm

Dundalk 2nds  v  Tullamore 2nds Leinster Seconds League @ 1.00pm

3rds  Tullamore  v  Athy Leinster Prov 3rds League @ 2.30pm