Improving Tullamore move into joint second

Tullamore moved into joint second place in the Senior Leinster League Division 1A table after a hard-fought 25–20 victory over Athy in Spollanstown, in a high-intensity contest that lived up to its billing.

Leinster League Division 1A: Tullamore 25, Athy 20

The game began at a frantic pace, with Tullamore striking first through two early penalties from Conor Dunne. Athy responded midway through the half with a penalty of their own, but the home side continued to test and probe the visitors’ defensive line. Several promising opportunities went begging through a combination of sloppy handling and momentary lapses, but Tullamore’s persistence was eventually rewarded just before the half.

Dominant at scrum time throughout the half, Tullamore forced an Athy scrum backwards, spilling possession. Ciaran Ennis folded the Athy scrum-half on the follow-up, causing another spill, and Sam Burns reacted quickest to claim the loose ball. Burns released Steven Joyce down the wing, and Joyce showed excellent awareness under pressure, drawing the cross-cover before lifting a perfectly timed return pass back to Burns just short of the line. Burns calmly popped the ball to Barry Bracken, who ran a lovely support line to steam over for the opening try. The half-time score stood at 11–3 to the hosts.

Athy came out firing after the break and capitalised when Tullamore failed to clear their lines, crossing for a converted try to close the gap. However, the response from the home side was immediate.

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From the restart, Joyce spoiled Athy’s receipt and palmed possession back to the men in red and black. Substitute Steven Pyke, making his first appearance after several months sidelined through injury, made an instant impact by delivering a deft pop pass to Karl Dunne. The ball was moved quickly through Ciaran Ennis, who sensed the defensive line rushing and released Colm Heffernan. Heffernan showed great composure to deliver a similar pass to Conor Dunne, who raced down the wing before linking with Adam Strong. Strong fixed the final defender brilliantly and sent Cathal Farrell over in the corner to finish a superb team try that involved seven passes in a single phase. Dunne added a fine touchline conversion to restore breathing space.

Athy kept themselves in contention with another penalty to move back into losing bonus-point territory, but Tullamore were not finished. Once again from the restart, Joyce soared above the pack to claim the ball in a moment reminiscent of a Gaelic kick-out, plucking possession at the highest point. Strong carries from Steven Pyke and Kalvin Mahon carried Tullamore deep into Athy territory. Karl Dunne then worked his way across the pitch, dummied a pass, and slipped the ball back inside to Cathal Farrell. Farrell burst through the defensive line before delivering a perfect no-look pass to his brother Liam, who crossed to effectively close out the contest.

Athy, to their credit, struck for a late try to narrow the margin, but Tullamore held firm to secure a deserved 25–20 victory.

Ciaran Ennis was exceptional in the pack, producing an outstanding defensive display while remaining composed and measured in attack. Steven Joyce was also superb, playing a key role in all of Tullamore’s tries and delivering an all-action performance in general play. Cathal Farrell also deserves an honourable mention with two massive moments for Tullamore’s final two scores, touching down for one and making the key break to facilitate the last.

The result lifts Tullamore into joint second place in the table. They now welcome the current league leaders to Spollanstown on Saturday week, January 31st, in what promises to be a season-defining encounter.

Tullamore Team: Shane Minnock, Adam Carthy, Mark Kennedy, Kalvin Mahon, Marty Cummins, Ciaran Ennis, Colm Heffernan, Barry Bracken, Sam Burns, Karl Dunne (captain), Steven Joyce, Conor Dunne, Ryan Strong, Cathal Farrell, Liam Farrell. Replacements: Steven Pyke, Paul Galvin, Ben McManus, Adam Strong, Eoin O’Reilly.