Tullamore upset the odds to beat Longford in Provincial Towns Cup shock

TEN years on from their most recent and famous of Towns cup winning seasons, Tulliers conjured up the spirit of 2013 to claim a momentous win on the road, once again old adverseries Longford being on the end of Tulliers Towns Cup magic.

Tullamore JI 18
Longford 10

An enthralling cup contest saw Longford start the better and they wasted no time in getting in front with a penalty after 6 minutes but from here on Tulliers young brigade grew into the game, Fionan Redmond and Conor McGuinness leading the charge in the pack, while Steve Joyce and Cathal Farrell were causing problems out wide.

Longford were in the ascendancy for much of the 1st half but the Tulliers defence was resolute and determined and dogged tackling all across the park blunted the Longford backline, so much so that the much hyped Samoan International Henry Bryce rarely caused any damage, captain Cormac Moloney giving a powerful performance against the Samoan. Bryce would eventually leave the field at half time and this was a serious indication of the defensive efforts inflicted on him by the pumped up Tulliers defence.

On 20 minutes Tulliers let Longford off the hook when Tullamore GAA man Pat Fahy was desperately unlucky to spill the ball over the line in the act of trying to score.

The Tulliers scrum was on top, Dunne and Feery bettering bigger opposites and it was from a well marshalled scrum that Tulliers struck with a beauty of a try, Joyce make the initial break before linking with Farrell who hared away. Unbelievably Tulliers were ahead 5 – 3 with 35 minutes played.

Captain Moloney was reeling in the years, a few turbo charged carries setting the stall for what was to come.T
ullamore saw out the first half without any further difficulty and experienced heads, Aaron Deverell, Rob Connor and Kevin Browne were all brought into the mix at the break. All 3 having played on the last towns cup winning team and their rugby brains would prove crucial in the outcome of the match, Deverell superbly marshalling play from 9 and Brown and Connor causing Longford issues at the breakdown.

Tulliers started the 2nd half with real intent and after some lovely phase play, Tulliers had the composure to go wide for Joyce to touchdown. Conversion missed, 10 – 3 with 50 played.

Better was to come as more good attacking play saw Tulliers camped in longfords 22 and when the penalty duly came, Deverell banged it ovcer for 13 – 3 with 60 minutes played.

Longford now had their purple patch and would score a good backline try to take the game back to 13 – 10 with 65 played, game on.For all Longford could throw at Tulliers, their defence held firm and huge tackles by Feery, Galvin and Hickey kept Longford at bay.On 76 minutes the game was settled, Deverell chippimg in behind for the on rushing Joyce to win the foot race and slam down to try number 3. 18 - 10 and Longford now a busted flush.

Longford threw everything at Tulliers for the remaining minutes but the defence was not to be breached. A heroic victory where all team members played their part.

Kealen Feery gave his performance of the season in the tight, Calvin mahon had some might charges, while McGuinness and Kon Fennelly was a constant thorn in Longford's side, pilfering 3 ruck penalties on the deck.Fahy, Captain Moloney, Steve Joyce and Cathal Farrell were all outstanding too.

Lineout technician Fionan Redmond was duly named man of the match.

Tullamore - Pat Fahy, Eoghan Hickey, Cathal Farrell, Cormac Moloney, Diarmiud Ralleigh, Steve Joyce, Zach Wright, Conor McGuinness, Liam Dunne, Kon Fennelly, Fionan Redmond, Calvin Mahon, Kealen Feery, Calym Dunne, Paul Galvin, Aaron Deverell, Sean Flynn, Rob Connor, Kevin Browne, Scott Bradley.