Relegated Tullamore get off to crucial winning start

Leinster League Division 1A: Tullamore RFC 26 Wexford Wanderers 18

There was a real sense of anticipation going into this one – Tullamore dropping into Division 1A and Wexford Wanderers fresh up after promotion. Both sides had a point to prove, and it was Tullamore who hit the ground running.

From the off, the boys in red kept Wexford pinned back, with clever kicking from Karl Dunne and Sam Burns turning the screw. The pressure told early, and Conor Dunne landed the first three points of the season to settle the nerves.

Not long after, Tullamore struck again. Wave after wave of attack ended with Alan Douglas crashing over for the first try, Conor adding the extras. On the half-hour mark the lead was stretched further – Sean McCabe took the ball out wide, bounced his opposite man, and glided in for a brilliant finish to make it 17-0.

Wexford refused to roll over, trading penalties with Tullamore before capitalising on a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on. Right on half time, the home side were awarded a penalty try from a scrum to close the gap to 20-10 at the break.

Wexford came out firing in the second half and crossed early to pile the pressure back on. But Tullamore steadied the ship, with Conor Dunne knocking over another penalty to keep the scoreboard ticking. Conditions worsened as the rain lashed down, turning the game into a real slog. Both teams exchanged penalties in the last 10 minutes, but Tullamore’s defence held firm to see it out 26-18 and take the points home.

In the pack, Colm Heffernan and Alan Douglas were immense, leading the defensive effort and producing crucial turnovers at key moments. Sean McCabe looked dangerous every time he got the ball on the wing, while Karl Dunne delivered a composed performance at full back. It was also great to see Cathal Farrell make his return from injury, bringing real energy off the bench in the final half hour. A special mention goes to Ryan Mealliffe, who marked his first senior cap with a strong showing in the front row.

TULLAMORE: Cathal Behan, Ryan Mealliffe, Mark Kennedy, Marty Cummins, Alan Douglas, David Boland, Kon Fennelly, Colm Heffernan, Sam Burns, Eoin O’Reilly, Gary Cantwell, Josh Huddlestone, Conor Dunne, Sean McCabe, Karl Dunne (C)

Ladies Midland League: Tullamore 38, Mullingar 14



It was a dangerous mixture of youth and experience that Tullamore brought over to Shay Murtagh Park, in a much anticipated season opener.

And what a way to start a season.

After a nervy beginning from both sides, Tullamore opened the scorecard with Alba Oman dotting down after an immense break from speedster Amy Berry.

It wasn’t long before this Tullamore team were knocking on the door again. With a ferocious intensity, Tullamore spread the ball wide into the waiting arms of new recruit Vicki Carey, who was over the line in a flash.

It was all Tullamore possession, however the Mullingar defence was brave in it’s efforts. The Tullamore pack were merciless in attack, with hard carrying from lock Caoimhe Guinan. The Mullingar women defended their line with gusto but they couldn’t hold out captain Roisín Feighery when she drove low between their posts.

Becky Gavin quickly converted, but the Tulliers lost their veteran fly-half off the following restart. A reshuffle of the backline for Tulliers was a non-issue with the experience of returning centre Shannon Tierney to the pitch.

Mullingar came back with intensity and with some sloppiness in defence, they broke through Tullamore and dotted down between the posts.

Despite the leaders on the field, Tullamore were struggling to re-gain the intensity that they began with. Mullingar’s youth and agility was again troubling a tiring Tullamore pack. They managed to get in again, just on the break of half time to leave it 17-14 HT.

After some words of wisdom from returning Head Coach Dermot Tierney, the Tulliers began the 2nd half with a revived aggression. The Tullamore scrum was rumbling forward and creating space outside. It wasn’t long before no.8 Hannah Foxe, bursted through a gap and dotted down between the posts.

The Tullamore womens' team. Picture Andrea Brady. TT38220

Not long after, there was a sense of deja vu for the Mullingar defence as Hannah ran a similar line to get over for another 5 pointer off a break from Aoibhe Kelly. It was converted by Poppy Meyer on her senior debut.

Poppy didn’t wait long before chalking her own name to another try, after another impressive scrum from the pack-to make it 38-14.

It was getting challenging to maintain composure as bodies tired on both sides. Loose forward Hannah Kennedy took advantage of this as she made a dazzling run up the pitch to bring play back up the pitch. It wasn’t to be however, as Mullingar turned it over to run the length of the pitch only for Orlaith Foxe to make a fantastic try saving tackle, to finish out the match.

TULLAMORE: Dani Murphy, ⁠Róisin Feighery, Robin Maher, Albha Oman, ⁠Caoimhe Guinan, Ciara Dunne, Clodagh Redmond, Hannah Foxe, Aoibhe Kelly, Becky Gavin, Amy Berry, Shannon Tierney, ⁠Lauryn O’Reilly, Vicki Carey, ⁠Orlaith Foxe. Subs - Laura Phelan, ⁠Julia Hooper, ⁠Kate Fox, Molly Brennan, Hannah Kennedy, Poppy Meyer, Joan Tynan, Katie Gowing.

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Tullamore Tigers

The Tullamore Tigers team had a brilliant day out at Barnhall's 10^th anniversary blitz on Sunday. 14 Tigers travelled and played their hearts out, winning all three games.