Missed kicks prove costly as Tullamore bow out of Provincial Seconds Cup

This game was a tale of goalkicking where Tullow had a kicker but Tullamore did not on the day.

Tullow 19

Tullamore 17

On what was a a sunny day but with a swirling breeze Tullamore missed seven kicks at goal. The Tullow kicker Paul Canavan also had the advantage of being at home and kept his attempts low and hard to minimise the affect of the wind. Tullamore scored three tries against two for Tullow.

The visitors found themselves behind after three minutes to a penalty for failing to roll away from a ruck and Tullamore then missed a difficult chance three minutes later. Brian Geraghty took a good pass on the halfway line and took off, beating several defenders to score a great try after seventeen minutes.

Tullow replied in similar fashion forcing a ruck on the Tullamore goal line and barged over for a try that they converted. After Tullamore missed three penalties, Tullow were on target with a penalty on the half hour mark. Brian Geraghty made another brillant break from the half way to score his second try that Mark Whelan converted. Half time saw one point between the sides, 13-12 in favour of the home team.

Tullamore were penalised for handling in a ruck within ten minutes to concede three points from a penalty. There were a couple of yellow cards issued in this half as the game was so competitive and tight.

Another penalty was kicked by Tullow midway through the half as Tullamore could not get a foothold in the opposition 22. Ten minutes before the end Tullamore finally got the break they fought so hard for when Mark Kennedy scored a try in the corner after great handling from Cyril Cornally and Barry Loughlin helped set up the chance. The conversion was too difficult but a chance in injury time was missed as the ball hit the post and bounced back into play.

The Tullamore scrum was very solid for the full game with Paddy Dunne and Darragh Lowry at prop controlling the set piece. Ciaran McNeill took some great catches in the linout which was another source of quick ball. The young back row were solid and worked hard against a more physical Tullow pack. Brian Geraghty’s two tries deserved to win any match and Tullow were forced to double mark him in the second half. Ivor Scully gave the back line focus and was fired up all the way. .

Team: 15 David O’ Neill, 14 Mark Kennedy, 13 Ivor Scully, 12 Brian Geraghty, 11 Odhran McIntyre, 10 Mark Whelam, 9 Ray Farrell, 1 Darragh Lowry, 2 Paul Cronin, 3 Paddy Dunne, 4 Adrian Milne, 5 Ciaran McNeill, 6 Barry Loughlin, 7 Cyril Cornally, 8 Paul Mcniff. Replacements; Mick Glew, Eddie Connnor, Alan Harvey, Mick Tormey, Danny Madden, Aidan Ryan

Provincial 3rds Anderson Cup

Athboy 1sts 24

Tullamore 3rds 17

Tullamore lost this game in the first half when they conceded seventeen points and failed to score. They climbed the mountain in the second half but a late score against the run of play killed them.

Athboy exposed a weakness in the Tullamore defence after seven minutes to score a converted try.

After Tullamore had a player sin binned in the twenty fifth minute they were made to pay the price when Athboy scored a second converted try. A further penalty for offside left Tullamore trailing 17-0 at half time.

Some very strong words from Player Coach Nigel Ravenhill had the effect of a much improved performance from the cup holders in the second half. Veteren Archie Lynam got a great ball 40 metres out and there was no stopping him from touching down. Better was to follow when Danny Madden was on the end of a terrific backline run ten minutes later to score in the opposite corner. With twenty minutes left Tullamore were back in this game.

Tullamore applied huge pressure and used the bench to freshen things up. Another break from Archie resulted in a third try that Eric Conway converted. With extra time looking likely Athboy made their first attack into the Tullamore 22 in the second half and scored a try following a strong burst from the base of the ruck. They converted it for good measure.

Paul Deering starting at No.6 played well but improved when moved into his natural habitat of the front row.

Mick Tormey was the pick of the forwards and veteran Nigel Ravenhill had a stormer. Mick fox was an excellent link between forwards and backs and Archie Lynams finishing brought this writer back to the mid 90’s and Archies prime. The introduction of Chris Gethings, Danny Madden and Eoin O’Reilly made a huge difference to the Tullamore effort and Manager Eugene Mann takes some credit for this move.

Fixtures

Sat Leinster U-19 Darcy Cup Semi-Final Tullamore v Gorey Venue TBC; Leinster U-17 Culliton Cup Semi-Final Tullamore v Mullingar Venue TBC; Sun Midlands 2nds Area League Final Roscrea v Tullamore away at 3pm.