Birr U-13s through to Midland Final after impressive win over Tullamore

Birr U-13s are through to the Midland League Final in their first year of 15-a-side rugby after an impressive win over Tullamore in an Offaly derby under lights in Tullamore.

Leading by just nine points at the end of an evenly matched first-half between two strong teams, Birr stepped up their game in the second-half scoring five tries while also defending stoutly to keep a talented Tullamore side at bay.

It was an excellent all around team performance by Birr with the forwards carrying strongly and the backs getting the ball wide on every opportunity that came their way. It was this complimentary attacking rugby along with a well organised and disciplined defence that won Birr the day against quality opponents.

Birr had the dream start to the game with Craig Landy crossing for a try after just 90 seconds at the end of a powerful run. Jack Gleeson converted to leave Birr 7-0 ahead.

Birr were pegged back just minutes later when Tullamore opened their account with a well taken try. A difficult conversion came up just short to leave Birr 7-5 ahead with seven minutes on the clock.

Midway through the half, second row Craig Landy was on hand again to score his and Birr's second try which Jack Glesson again converted.

The breakdown was ferociously competitive throughout a very well refereed game with both sides forcing turnovers. A powerful Tullamore pack caused Birr problems at scrum time in the opening exchanges but Birr battled hard at the set play and gained parity in this crucial part of the game as time went on.

With 18 minutes on the clock, Birr extended the lead further when a good move in the backline opened the space and, with some work still to do, Shane Cummins cut through the Tullamore cover and crossed the line before calmly touching down for the first of three tries on the day.

That put Birr 19-5 ahead approaching half time but Tullamore battled hard and were duly rewarded with a try on the stroke of half time to leave just nine points between the sides.

Both sides had periods of possession in the early stages of the second-half but neither could make a decisive breakthrough to add to their half time totals.

The opening score of the second half was always going to be crucial and it came nine minutes into the half through a great solo effort.

A clearing kick from under their posts from Tullamore landed in the hands of Shane Cummins on the 22 metre line and he sprinted to the left beating a number of defenders before scoring in the corner to put Birr 24-10 ahead.

Outside centre Sam Cleare was next on the score sheet when a powerful run took him through the Tullamore defensive line and once in open space, he wasn't going to be stopped as he scored a try under the posts that Jack Gleeson duly converted.

That score seemed to deflate a Tullamore side that had battled from the start with great determination and just two minutes later, Birr's Sam Power broke through the line inside his own half and he outsprinted the Tullamore cover before touching down under the posts. Jack Gleeson added his fourth conversion.

With four minutes remaining, Shane Cummins showed great poacher's instincts to complete his hat-trick. A loose pass in the Tullamore backline went to ground and the speedy centre somehow got to it ahead of the Tullamore players before sprinting away to score in the corner.

Birr rounded off their scoring two minutes from time when the ball found its way to captain Noah Moran after another great move across the back-line. A strong hand off opened up the space and he scored in the left corner to round off a magnificent win for Birr.

With eight players missing through injury and illness, and others playing through injuries on the night, the Birr squad had to dig deep but every player who took to the field really played their part.

Cheered on by their injured team-mates and delighted supporters, all the forwards carried hard with some excellent line breaks throughout the game and the backs took their opportunities when they arose.

Defensively it was also an entire team effort against a powerful Tullamore side. Time and again players stood up and were counted when tackles needed to be made and that pressure and ferocity told as the game wore on.

Next up for the Birr U-13s is a Midland League Final against a very strong and very physically imposing Mullingar side but if they can repeat they performance in the decider, they will certainly be in with a shout.

Birr: Tadhg Dooley, Matthew Carey, Darragh Dooley; Killian O'Hare, Craig Landy; Keelan Barnes, Dylan King, Cian O'Donnell; Jack Gleeson, Gearoid Molloy; Cian Molloy, Shane Cummins, Sam Cleare, Harry Watkins, Noah Moran. Subs: Oisin Duggan, Sam Power, Ben Lawlor. Squad: Sean Boland, Conall O'Crowley, Charlie Carthy, Oisin O'Meara, Joey Canham, Cillian Clery, Ethan Mullholland, Ryan Molloy