Under 17 Tullamore RFC Outshine Mullingar

UNDER 17 LEINSTER LEAGUE

Tullamore 8 – Mullingar 5

The weather played havoc with the preparations for this game with no training for 2 weeks, left management wondering how this Tullamore team with cope against a much fancied Mullingar team.

With both packs very even and dominating the game it was never going to be a high scoring.  Mullingar missed a simple penalty 14 minutes into the game when Tullamore were deemed to have hands in the ruck.  Despite Tullamore been camped in the Mullingar half for long periods they failed to score and  just before the break Mullingar cleared their lines and kicked their way upfield and having secured the ball, scored the only points in the first half with a try.

Tullamore were the better team in the second half and after some great rucking and mauling Cian Byrne went over for a try to even the score.  Tullamore spent most of the second period in the visitors half  but Mullingar defended very well.  Tullamore were eventually award a penalty in front of the post when Mullingar were deemed to have gone off their feet in a ruck.  Karl Dunne added the three and this turned to be the winning score..

 This was a fine display by the Tullamore forwards.  They rucked and mauled all day against a very big and well organised Mullingar pack.  Brothers Leon and Dylan Martin had great games at 6 & 7 and second rows Gary Pyke and Kevin Robbins carried some great ball.  Niall McCabe as scrum half and later as full back, and Ciaran Maloney as out half were the pick of the backs.

Tullamore need to up their game again next week against table toppers Birr.

Squad: Cian Byrne, Glen Bagnall, Killian Rusk, Gary Pyke, Kevin Robbins, Leon Martin, Dylan Martin, Sean Milner, Niall McCabe, Ciaran Maloney, Declan Byrne, Karl Dunn, Jarleth Glynn, Micky Keogh , Pauric Brazil, Darragh Coughlan,  Dean Pearse, David Brophy, Aaron Pierse, Stephen Norton,  Frankie Deegan.