Tullamore secure Metro 6 title with league final victory over Greystones

Tullamore J3s locked horns with north Wicklow outfit Greystones for the 3rd time this season on Saturday afternoon. Tullamore had secured a home final, having topped the league at the end of the regular reason, having won 10 games & lost 2.

Conditions on Saturday were less than perfect for rugby. Storm David sent a stiff breeze blowing down the first pitch into the clubhouse end. A large crowd had gathered and were neatly packed into the stand, enjoying the sound of bagpipes ringing around Spollanstown in the 15 minutes leading up to kick off, courtesy of local Piper Paul Rice.

Tulliers had the breeze in the first half. The game was only 2 minutes old, when reliable full back Niall McCabe, chipped over a penalty to give Tullamore a 3 point lead.

Incredibly, this would be the only score for the next 38 minutes. Tullamore spent the majority of the half, camped in the Greystones 22, but the resilient Wicklow outfit defended admirably, keeping their try line intact.

Back Row brothers David & John Dunican, along with youngster John McQuaid were particularly combative in the early exchanges. Greystones found it very difficult to exit due to a combination of the weather & powerful tackling of the young back rowers.

It was incredibly the final play of the half before the scoreboard was troubled again. Dynamic Centre Rory Lynch, powering over after some great handling from Ronan Hopper and Colin Draper.
The 8.0 half time score was no more than Tullamore deserved, but with the storm continuing to build, it was hard to know if it was going to be enough.

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The half time reset, seemed to settle Tullamore and they came out with renewed purpose in the 2nd half. Playing into a gale force wind, some powerful carries from the evergreen Cathal Feighery, Dan Cronin & John Connolly, had Greystones back pedaling. After 16 phases, it was Cronin who scored the try after more great work in the build up from Cian OSullivan & Odhran Hickey. 15.0 the score, after McCabe added the conversion.

Greystones owned the ball for much of the rest of the half, but outstanding Tullamore defending kept them at bay.

The introduction of Darren Brady, Adam Hughes & Jake Kenny gave Tullamore a lift at a vital time, & they closed the game out. 15.0 the final score.

The weather dictated that this was a day for teak tough forwards, and Tullamore had them in spades. The Dunican Brothers complimented each other perfectly. David constantly got Tullamore over the gain-line with his powerful carries, while Johns dominant tackling was a feature of the game. Young McQuaid & Jimmy Rabbitte got through a mountain of work, while Feighery and OSullivan led from the front, like they always seem to do.

On a difficult day for backs, Jarleth Glynn was the best back on show. His footwork and powerful handoff, gave him & his team space, even there seemed to be none. Hooper & Lynch had fine games too.

This brings it to 4 league Titles in 4 years for Tullamore J3s. Credit to Coach Colin Hughes for his work with this group, who have rewritten the book for J3 Rugby.

Tullamore look forward to hosting Athy next Sunday in the quarter final of the Anderson Cup. Kick off 3pm in Spollanstown.

Team: Jimmy Rabbitte, Cathal Feighery, Dan Cronin, Odhran Hickey, John Connolly, John McQuaid, John Dunican, David Dunican, Ronan Hooper, Colin Draper, Mark McGrath, Rory Lynch, Jarlath Glynn, Eoghan OConnor, Niall McCabe, Ben Hensey, Cian OSullivan, Jake Kenny, Darren Brady, Adam Hughes, Esstian JVR, Eoin Dixon, Tiarnan Quinn, Fionan Redmond, Tom Gilligan, James Rowe, Cian Dunne Guilfoyle, Alex Birmingham, Killian Dunne & Ian Gorman.