Late scores turn the tide

Tullow 24

Tullamore 19

FOLLOWING a brave and honest performance a very young Tullamore side bowed out of the Harry Gale Cup following this replay defeat to a very strong and determined Tullow side.

Tullamore opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a Dean Cahill penalty. Tullow responded with a controversial converted try in the eighth minute following a line out in which there looked to be a clear knock on not penalised by the referee.

Tullamore responded to this set back with another penalty by Cahill in the 10th minute and a wonderful drop goal by Odhran McIntyre in the 21st minute to give them a 9–7 lead.

Tullamore suffered a set back when a prop was yellow carded in the 30th minute. Tullow scored another converted try in the 38th minute to give them a 14–9 lead.

Tullamore, with Molloy back on the field, responded well with a try under the posts by Paul McNiff which was converted by Cahill to give Tullamore a 16-14 lead.

Tullow started the second half well but Tullamore absorbed the pressure and in their first attack on the second half in the 46th minute Cahill kicked a good penalty to extend the lead to 19–14.

Tullow went back on the offensive and in the 50th minute the pressure from their big pack yielded another converted try to give them a 21–19 lead. They extended their lead with a penalty in the 58th minute with a penalty that turned out to be the last score of the game to give them a winning lead of 24–19.

Tullamore tried all they knew but were unable to get a winning try. In what was a disappointing finish to the season for the Under 21 side, the players can be very proud of the way they fronted up to a very big and physical Tullow side.

Coach John Egan and Manager Paul Cronin are to be thanked for their commitment and efforts in what has been a long season for the U-21 side. The players gave great commitment and this young side can look forward to better days in the competition next season.

TULLAMORE: Mark Abraham, Dermot Martin, Chris Gethings, Odhran McIntyre, Danny Madden, Dean Cahill, Ger Wynne, Darryl Daly, Nick Berry, Dan Cronin, David Molyneaux, Paul McNiff, Mark Kennedy, Darragh Hanlon, Damien Egan, Subs used Ger Molloy, Paul Fennell, David Fennell