Tullamore gain promotion to Division 3 with impressive win in final

Tullamore J1 capped a fine league season in style, overcoming Leinster rugby heavyweights Old Wesley in a pulsating league final. This win was built on graft and hard work throughout the year, the defensive resolve that has often been evident again coming to the fore, with exceptional and determined tackling keeping the fancied Wesley backline in check throughout.

To nil Old Wesley when under the cosh for almost the entire 2nd half and down to 14 men after Redmond was sin binned , was a particularly outstanding effort.

Metro League Division 4 Final: Tullamore J1 10 Old Wesley 0

 On a lovely dry day for rugby, a large, raucous home crowd witnessed an enthralling final that saw Tulliers start well with courageous captain Cormac Moloney wasted no time in posting the first of many fine carries.

Good field position and possession however amounted to no reward on the scoreboard, a combination of good Wesley defence and some poor Tulliers execution letting Wesley off the hook, barrelling prop Feery held up over the line, monster 2nd row Kalvin Mahon snagged just short of the line, while winger Ralleigh lost the ball over the line in the tackle too.

It was scarcely believable that 20 minutes had elapsed before there was a score at all, outhalf Stevie Joyce kicking a good penalty. It was scant reward for all Tulliers dominance but the quality of performance was a credit to the squad, especially considering the lack of gametime the past month.

The Tulliers midfield trio of Joyce, Moloney and Devine were lording it against their much hyped opposites and Devine and Joyce in particular will surely have long careers ahead of them in the senior panel if they continue to develop as they have over the past few months.

Wesley came back into things but strong defence by Mahon, Flynn, Fennelly and McGuinness checked the Wesley progress.

Half time 3 – 0 to Tulliers, but absolutely no reflection on the quality of the game itself.

If the 1st half largely belonged to Tulliers, well then Wesley owned most the 2nd, Starting like a team that had a point to prove they began the siege of the Tulliers 22 for huge chunks of the 2nd half.

Rare breakouts included a wonderful and match changing Pat Fahey interception that lifted the siege on the Tulliers tryline and a slashing break by Devine that should have seen Tullamore score but for a last ditch, high tackle by the Wesley 15. Somehow the referee deemed it not worthy of a penalty try and Wesley escaped.

Tulliers needed to solidify possession and their set piece, in came Liam Dunne, army veteran Cyril Cornally and Clara man Ben Doyle. All 3 adding fresh impetus to the cause, Cornally and Dunne making huge defensive contributions with some clattering hits.

Entering the final 15 minutes and the game well and truly there to be won by either side, young 2nd row Fionan Redmond stole a Wesley ball and slammed home from 15 yards, bustling through 3 Wesley tacklers on the way to the line, an outstanding individual score by another outstanding young player.

The last 10 minutes made great viewing from a Tullamore perspective, savage defence repelling wave after wave of Wesley attack before they eventually spilled the ball over the endline and the referee blew a halt to things, relief, jubilation and pride amongst the many emotions visble amongst the Tulliers players and sideline.

On a tremendous squad effort it is very hard to name individuals, but Captain Moloney, Steve Joyce and Devine were all outstanding, Zach Wright had a fine game at 9. Old man of the pack, Molloy made some savage hits and carries. Kalvin Mahon had his game of the season and the set piece was on the money, Calym Dunne having a good day with the darts. The back 3 of Fahey, Ralleigh and Hickey were full of running and have also haf outstanding seasons.

Up front McGuinness and Redmond were excellent, while Fennelly worked his socks off. Liam Dunne and Cornally made massive impact when introduced but for shear leadership alone, Cormac Moloney was man of the match.

Tulliers can look back on this season with immense pride, 1 league loss and 1 extra time cup defeat the only blemishes on an otherwise magnificent year that saw the J1 squad use no less than 37 different players and more importantly develop plenty of young talent for the years ahead.

Tullamore: Patrick Fahey, Eoghan Hickey, Mark Devine, Cormac Moloney, Zack Wright, Steve Joyce, Diarmiud Ralleigh, Conor McGuinness, Sean Flynn, Kon Fennelly, Fionan Redmond, Calvin Mahon, Ger Molloy, Calym Dunne, Keelan Feery. Replacements. Shane Brennan, Cyril Cornally, Liam Dunne, Dan Cronin, Ben Doyle, Aaron Deverell

Management. Rob Connor, James Joyce, Pat Flynn, Odhran McIntyre, Eddie Connor