Tullamore triumph in style
After a hard-fought victory over Mullingar the previous weekend, Tullamore’s reward was a Friday night clash in The Curragh, with a trip to face Newbridge in the Dunne Cup Semi-Final. The game promised to be a thrilling encounter, and Tullamore certainly rose to the occasion with a performance full of grit, flair, and clinical finishing.
Dunne Cup Semi-Final: Tullamore 52, Newbridge 7
Tullamore wasted no time in asserting themselves on the field. The visitors were straight out of the blocks, putting Newbridge’s defence under intense pressure from the outset. The forwards carried with intent, and the backs were sharp in attack. It wasn’t long before Kon Fennelly, fresh from his adventures in the Australian outback, made his mark. With a couple of sharp hand-offs and a burst of speed, Fennelly scampered over for the opening try of the match. McIntyre’s reliable boot added the extras, giving Tullamore a 7-0 lead.
The next 15 minutes proved to be a scrappy affair, with handling errors and knock-ons from both teams disrupting any flow to the game. But as the half-hour mark approached, Tullamore regained their composure. A penalty from McIntyre into Newbridge territory set up a well-executed lineout. From the resulting maul, the ever-experienced Milne, with over 50 years of rugby knowledge under his belt, gathered and drove over the line. McIntyre added the conversion, and Tullamore now had a commanding 14-point lead.
Tullamore’s momentum was building, and soon they added to their tally. A brilliant break from Drea, combined with strong carries from Halpin and Hickey, saw Dunican burst through the heart of Newbridge’s defence. Despite being dragged down inches from the line, Dunican’s one-armed stretch saw the ball touch the whitewash, and another five points were added to the scoreboard.
Just when it seemed Tullamore might be taking complete control, Newbridge showed their clinical edge. From the resulting kick-off, Tullamore made an error, knocking the ball on, and Newbridge were quick to pounce. The hosts launched an attack down the left wing, but a couple of missed tackles allowed Newbridge to get on the board with a try.
However, with five minutes remaining in the first half, Tullamore delivered another blow. Alex Halpin went on a scintillating mazy run, evading tacklers and drawing in the last defender before a crisp pass found Sean Dunne. Dunne had the simplest of tasks to finish, sending Tullamore into the break with a commanding 26-7 lead.
The second half began with Newbridge desperate to mount a comeback, but it was Tullamore who struck the decisive blow 10 minutes after the restart. Dunican, now stationed on the right wing, put on a dazzling display of footwork and power to beat five or six defenders, crossing for a sensational individual try.The introduction of Darren Brady at half-time had a huge impact, as he immediately stamped his authority on the game. From a scrum, Brady burst forward with a powerful carry that had Newbridge retreating. A delightful one-handed offload from Brady allowed Simon Drea to scamper over for a try, furthering Tullamore's dominance.
The hosts were reeling, and just three minutes later, Brady was in the thick of things again. A tap penalty was all it took for him to make a strong solo charge, powering over the line for another try. McIntyre slotted the conversion.
Tullamore weren’t finished yet. As the game entered its final stages, Hickey powered over the line for Tullamore’s eighth and final try. Halpin made no mistake with the difficult conversion, putting the final touch on a superb all-around performance.
Tullamore’s dominance in the scrums was a standout feature of the match. The front row of Cleary, Roe, and Smith were exceptional, bulldozing their opposite numbers and setting a platform for the backs to attack with freedom. Hickey, Fennelly, Milne, and Dunican were relentless, constantly breaking the gain line and putting Newbridge on the back foot.
Brennan and McIntyre marshaled the game from fly-half and scrum-half, using their vast experience to dictate the tempo and provide a solid base for the younger players to shine. The midfield pairing of Drea and Healy was a revelation, while Cian and Sean Dunne worked tirelessly on the wings, providing both offensive flair and defensive solidity. Halpin, as always, was a menace at full-back, with some dazzling runs and probing kicks.
The bench made an impact when called upon, with Brady, Pyke, and Flood all contributing to the team’s momentum.
Man of the Match:
While many players put in standout performances, one individual stood head and shoulders above the rest. For his work-rate, carries, defensive solidity, scrummaging prowess, and his refusal to take a backward step, the writer’s Man of the Match is James Roe. His commitment and leadership in the front row were integral to Tullamore’s victory on the night.