Portarlington crush Clane in final home game

Portarlington finished off their last home league game of the season with a 12 try demolition of Clane at Lea road on Sunday.

This leaves Portarlington five points ahead of Roscrea going into their last league game away to Kilkenny on March 11th. One point will do it for Portarlington, and that will see them pick up the Division 2 title for the second time in three seasons. They have scored 42 tries in 11 games this season (almost double any other team) and they have left themselves in the perfect position to make the league their’s.

Portarlington dominated from start to finish in this game and played some scintillating rugby at times, scoring 12 tries in the process. Portarlington were boosted by the return of Cathal Bannon, Paddy Hyland and Simon Powell to the first team setup after being abroad/injured and what a difference all three made when sprung from the bench.

The engine room of Hugh Emerson and Alex Mijalovic were simply too big strong and atheltic for their opposing numbers and Port dominated the set piece. The tries came from Mark Petriw (three), Ronan Mannion, Ross Doyle, Paddy Hyland (two each), Massey Tuhaks, David Murphy and Joander Brazon. Portarlington were missing influential midfielder Stephen Mulhall through suspension, but Port’s backs looked dangerous and hungry all game.

Huge credit will go to their coach Massey Tuhaks who has instilled a discipline and professional approach at all times. One notable point from the game was the outsanding performances of the three Hyland brothers of James, Paddy and Kieran. On a day when everyone played exceptionally well, as a team Portarlington could have not got any more from their 20 players.

It leaves one chapter left in the story in a week’s time, as they face Kilkenny in the league decider.

PORTARLINGTON: David Murphy, Ross Doyle (c), Paddy Hyland, Padraig Maree, Kieran Hyland, Ronan Mannion, Paul Mannion, Sean Kiely, Colm Dowling, Andrew Wilkinson, Hugh Emerson, Alex Mihaljovic, James Hyland, Joander Brazon, Mark Petriw, Stephen Oakley, Declan Hennessy, Simon Powell, Cathal Bannon, Massey Tuhaks.