Tullamore ladies claim title in dramatic finish with late late winning score

On a glorious spring evening, Tullamore took on Mullingar in a local derby for the Midland’s Cup and a spot in the Paul Flood Cup Final. Mullingar come into the match on a high as Division 2 champions eager to take the scalp of a Division 1 team.

Midland's Cup
Tullamore 27, Mullingar 22

Mullingar began the match with gusto, ready to push the Tullamore women to their limit. Tullamore began the game looking sluggish perhaps after the quick turnaround from their AIL Cup Semi-Final.
It was a huge back and forth between the teams. However the strength of the Tullamore pack was taking a lot out of the Mullingar defence. These strong carries opened up the outside for Shannon Touhey to cross the whitewash with the opening score.

It was to be the last score for the Tullamore women for the 1st half. Mullingar came back with a vengence. They stretched the Tullamore defence and nipped between tacklers to dot down. Their outhalf added on the extras to bring it to 5-7 after 25 minutes.

Tullamore heads had dropped and after 5 minutes the Mullingar women passed the whitewash again. Sloppy defence from Tullamore was allowing the home team to punish them. The scoreline was brought to 5-12 and it was beginning to look like a one-sided affair.

The match looked all but in Mullingars hands when they capitalised on some turnovers and tacked on another try to leave it 5-17 at half time.

The coaching team had some strong words for Tullamore. They knew they looked like they were handing the match to Mullingar. They knew something had to change.
And so, they came out the blocks ready to fight.

Tullamore hit Mullingar with everything they had. The pack working very hard to put lock prop Eve Tarpey over the line to make it 12-17 after Becky Gavin added the conversion.

Tullamore were back in it. However an ever resilient Mullingar came back and hit Tullamore hard. They went over in the corner to make it 12-22. It was a nervy time for the Tulliers women.

They had to fight and they knew it. Through some great rugby, they wprked Mullingar hard around the corner and lock Caoimhe Guinan powered over the line to make it 17-22.

And with less than 5 minutes left, hearts were in mouths. Tullamore’s physicality was to the fore in the final minutes and the homeside were beginning to get weary. Then they tagged on another 5 points from a try from Claire Leonard to make it 22-22.

Coaches were going grey, supporters were sweating on the sideline. Less than 3 minutes to play and it was all even.

Then we seen some staggering rugby from Tullamore as they went through the phases from their own 22, to allow Sinead Rigney to score in the corner to bring it to 27-22, to Tullamore.

As the conversion kick fell short, a roar emerged from every Tullamore woman present as they realised they had won, and become Midland’s Champions and Leinster finalists.

They emerged victorious, after a hard fought battle.

TULLAMORE PANEL : Eve Tarpey, Robin Maher, Saidhbh McIntyre, Caoimhe Guinan, Laura Sampson, Saoirse Quinn, Niamh Hickey, Ann-Maree Manley, Becky Gavin, Claire Leonard, Kate Mc Cann, Shannon Touhey, Veronica Smyth, Sinead Rigney, Roisin Feighery, Ebony Hogan, Hannah Foxe, Kate Fox, Ciara Dunne, Abigail Connon, Amy Berry, Eimear Daly, Catriona Kielty, Maryanna Cordeiro, Naomi Kennedy, Ellie Flanagan, Laura Phelan, Chantel Minnock.

Results

U18.5s: Tullamore 26, Athy 29

Women's Midland League Final: Mullingar 22 Tullamore 27

U13s: Tullamore 19 Enniscorthy 21

Fixtures

Thursday 13th
U13 Boys Midland League Semi v Birr
U14 Boys v Portlaoise in Plate Semi final.
Metro 4 final

Friday 14th

Tullamore J1s v Old Wesley 8pm
Saturday 15th

AIL Tullamore v Instonians 2.30 pm

Saturday, 15th

U18 boys v Mullingar at home in Midland League Final on Saturday at 12pm. TBC

Sunday 16th
All Ireland final Tullamore Women's v Barnhall 2:30pm
Anderson Cup Tullamore Mens J3s v Gorey 3pm
Paul Cusack Cup Semi final
Women's 2nds v New Ross 12pm
U15 Midland League Final v Mullingar 1.15pm in Mullingar