Final heartbreak for brave Tullamore women as late comeback falls just short

Tullow put together back-to-back Flood Cups for the first time in a cracking final overcoming a battling Tullamore side by just two points.

Bank of Ireland Leinster Women’s Paul Flood Cup Final

Tullamore 27
Tullow 29

For so long, the Carlow club looked like winning with something to spare once they moved in front from a try by Lisa O’Toole.

In fact, they were holding all the aces included in a 29-13 lead with ten minutes left on the clock before almost being caught late on.

This says everything about Tullamore’s never-say-die attitude which came to the fore in the form of two superb scores in the latter stages.

However, this looked a most unlikely occurrence when Catherine Dempsey stepped up to score from an interception and add the conversion for 12-0 in the 24th minute.

Tullamore stopped the bleeding with a penalty from the boot of Laura Sampson to provide a lift in confidence.

It didn’t really have the desired effect as the Tullow scrum continued to dominate, producing the front-foot ball for the excellent Grace Kelly and Alex O’Brien to carry forward.

They stayed patient enough for loose-head Joanna Mahon to ground the ball at the posts, making Dempsey’s conversion automatic for 19-3 at the break;

There was encouragement for Tullamore in how they came out strong – flankers Saoirse Quinn and Niamh Hickey were outstanding – to carve out a try for rookie out-half Abaigeal Connon in the 43rd minute.

The theme of the interception continued when Chloe Farrell repeated the feat of Dempsey in going the length of the pitch for a try that was converted by the latter for an 18-point lead.

But, the Offaly club was starting to come on strong, really knuckling down to business, aided by the introduction of super-sub Ann Maire Manley, who dotted down for their second try.

Tullow took the smart decision to take the points on offer when they next came knocking on the door, Dempsey slotting the pints in the 66th minute.

It proved to be the right choice given how Tullamore stormed back, everything Manley touched turned to gold, striking for back-to-back tries to complete a hat-trick.

The fact second row Sampson had her shooting boots on meant both conversions were made to make it a two-point game.

All of a sudden, Tullamore were on the move again as the clock turned red, Tullow just about surviving one last surge.

Scorers: Tullow – C Dempsey try, pen, 3 cons; L O’Toole, C Farrell, J Mahon try each.

Tullamore – AM Manley 3 tries; A Connon try; L Sampson pen, 2 cons

Tullow: Alice Carroll; Emma O’Toole. Chloe Farrell, Roisin O’Toole, Lisa O’Toole;
Joanna Mahon, Anna O’Neill, Annie Meaney, Ciara O’Dwyer, Orla Hanlon, Grace Kelly, Lana Brennan (Capt), Alex O’Brien. Replacements – Shelley Faulkner, Lauryn Faulkner, Aoife Byrne, Courtney Kelly, Meghan Hickey, Niamh Bailey, Leanne Savage, Jane O’Neill.

Tullamore: Sinead Rigney; Rachel Conroy, Shannon Touhey, Kate McCann, Clare Leonard; Abaigeal Connon, Aoibhe Kelly; Saidhbh McIntyre, Caitriona Kietly, Eve Tarpey, Kate Fox, Laura Sampson, Saoirse Quinn, Niamh Hickey, Hannah Foxe. Replacements – Ebony Hogan, Robin Maher, Ann-Marie Manley, Caoimhe Guinan, Sarah Jane O’Connor, Rebecca Gavin, Eimear Daly, Roisin Feighery.

It was a successful year for Tullamore Womens Rugby fielding 2 teams and over 50 women putting on the Jersey this year.

Tullamore Womens Rugby will be heading into their 10th season running next year. We are always looking for new players extra coaches and some of our AIL experienced players back. If you are interested in joining for the first time please contact the club on facebook or email. A good way to
start it up is joining the Summer Tag which commences after the May bank Holiday weekend.

A big thank you goes to our current squad of our womens rugby players, management and coaching staff for all there hard work and dedication over the season. Also to our sponsors over the years. This Year especially, The Phoenix, The Square Café, Irish Casing Company, Brewery Tap, Supermacs Tullamore, Physio Tullamore and Turmec