Published: Friday, 11th December, 2009 5:00pm
League title hopes dashed by Monkstown defeat
LEINSTER LEAGUE DIV 1A
Monkstown 17
Tullamore 7
A disastrous day in D4 for Tullamore finally put paid to any lingering league title ambitions. The target now for this side is to regroup, finish as high as possible in the league and win the two cup competitions available to play for.
A last minute reshuffle of the backline when a Dublin-based player could not get off work did disrupt the team, but the home side wanted this win more. When Tullamore could not score playing with the wind in the first half, the signs were ominous. The home team defended well but a lack innovation and penetration in attack resulted in Tullamore creating few chances. The loss through injury of regular goalkicker and captain Gearoid O'Grady is proving to be a huge loss as missed kicks are draining confidence from the team. The pack are a match for any opposition and the backs defended very well and limited Monkstown to one successful drop goal in the first half. The home side lead 3-0 at half-time.
Monkstown tore into Tullamore from the off in the second half and a second drop goal was no surprise within four minutes. When things start to go against you, they tend to multiply as Tullamore had two players harshly sin-binned and were down to thirteen players. Monkstown took advantage and forced two penalties from a stretched defence that were both converted. They also got over the line after 25 minutes to record an unconverted try. Late in the game, Adrian Hanley scored an individual try from one of his trademark runs which Mark Whelan converted.
Some serious work needs to be done at training this week before they play Skerries at home next Saturday evening at 5pm.
TEAM: 15. Mark Whelan, 14. Keith Scally, 13. Sean Brady, 12. Ivan Dunne, 11. Paul O'Grady, 10. David Deering, 9. Richie Hughes, 1. Ronan Glennon, 2. Cathal Feighery, 3. Eddie Brady, 4. Ivor Deverell 5. David Hanlon, 6. David Milne, 7. Rob Connor (capt), 8. Adrian Hanley. REPLACEMENTS USED: Donal Milne and Ivor Scully.
LEINSTER 2NDS LEAGUE
DIV 1A
Monkstown 10
Tullamore 13
A more convincing win than the scoreline suggests for this young side sprinkled with a coupe of wily veterans as they totally dominated the second half of this game in Sydney Parade.
A slow start for the visiting side allowed Monkstown to register two tries in the first 25 minutes neither of which were converted on a poor pitch. The introduction of Steve McQuaid for his first match of the season certainly changed things around in the tight and scrums became a liability for Monkstown for the rest of the game. Just on the stroke of half-time, Brian Geraghty was on hand to finish a move with an important try for the visitors. A scoreline of 10-5 at half-time was manageable and a fair reflection of the game. Holding Monkstown scoreless in the second half reflected Tullamore's dominance of possession and territory. After sustained pressure, the experience of Donal Milne told as he broke through a couple of tackles to score a try and level the match. On 22 minutes, another veteran Eric Conway converted what was to be the winning penalty. Overall, a satisfactory performance where experienced players like Donal Milne, Paul O'Grady and Steve McQuaid fronted up and supported young lads like Paul McNiff, Ger Molloy and Cormac Moloney, who were terrific all through. Scrum-half Ray Farrell drove on the forwards and distributed cleverly with a very positive display in his best game of the season.
TEAM: 15. Chris Gethings, 14. Aidan Ryan, 13. Paul O'Grady 12. Cormac Moloney, 11. Adrian Dalton, 10. Eric Conway, 9. Ray Farrell, 1. Ger Molloy, 2. Cian Glennon 3. Ronan Scally 4. Brian Geraghty 5. Fearghal Kerin, 6. Paul McNiff 7. Aidan Scully, 8. Donal Milne. Replacements used: Steve McQuaid, Stephen Connolly and Kevin Brown.
U13 MIDLAND AREA LEAGUE
TULLAMORE 58
BIRR 0
Tullamore continued their winning ways with tries from Jason Owens (2), Jack Fogarty, Cian Dully, Mel Rowland, Cormac Deegan, Colm Corcoran, Barry Bracken and Joe Grimes. Paul Norton kicked 5 conversions and a penalty. Next Saturday, Edenderry are the visitors to Spollenstown in another league match.
Club Calendar
Now available from most members for only €5. Also available from Joyce Auctioneers, High St. A nice thought for Christmas for friends. Photographs by Harvey/Rogers Photography.
NEXT WEEKEND
Saturday
1ST Team: Tullamore v Skerries at 5pm in Leinster League Div 1A.
2ND Team: Tullamore v Skerries at 3pm in Leinster 2nds League.
U-13s/U-15s: Tullamore v Edenderry at 12.15 In Area League.
Sunday
Tullamore 3rds v Mullingar 2nds at 2pm in Area League.
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