Towns Cup defeat for Edenderry

Edenderry 3, Athy 19 Edenderry 1st fifteen travelled away to Athy in the first round of the towns cup this week. Athy who are second in the third division went into an early six point lead with two penalties from their out half and the home side used the wind to their advantage clearing their lines well anytime Edenderry got into their half. Edenderry did add a penalty of their own before the break from outhalf Liam Holt and went into the break 6-3 down. The away side were still very much in the game at that stage as they had the advantage of the breeze in the second half but it was Athy who added to their lead with another penalty about ten minutes into the half. Athy went on to add another penalty and a try late in the half when they broke down the blindside and their centre found a gap in the Edenderry defence and ran in under the posts. The game was tighter than the score suggests and Edenderry will hope to put in a good run in the plate. Edenderry will now play Mullingar in the plate on February 8 away. Leinster League Under 16 Semi-final win for Edenderry RFC Edenderry RFC 8, Tullow RFC 7 Edenderry marched into the Leinster League final with a excellent performance against a physically bigger Tullow side, played in gale type conditions in Naas. To a man Edenderry bested their rivals having to abandon their natural open playing style to take on Tullow in a head on physical battle that had travelling supporters enthralled until the final whistle. Playing into a gale in the first half, Edenderry defended with great commitment to ball retention. Taking the ball into contact Edenderry out rucked their physically larger opponents turning over critical Tullow ball. It was however Edenderry"s dominance in the scrum that provided the platform for victory along with a commitment to tackle Tullow at will. Throughout the first half Tullow"s attack was rebuffed time after time as Edenderry worked their way up the field to attack Tullow"s try line only for a loose ball to be kicked back down the field with the aid of the gale force wind, that resulted in a penalty to Tullow that their outhalf narrowly miss to the right of the posts to leave the half time score 0-0. The second half began with Tullow upping their game with their large forwards attacking the fringes of the rucks. Again Edenderry tackled and rucked with bravado, turning Tullow ball into attacking opportunities that resulting in a back move that provided Shane Cronin with a try in the left corner. The conversation was narrowly missed but now Edenderry were ahead and gaining confidence. Tullow had other ideas and after gaining procession in the Edenderry 22 they pounded the Edenderry try line for a 10 minute period until they scored a converted try next to the posts. From the restart, Edenderry attacked Tullow, moving the large Tullow pack around the field and forcing a penalty in the Tullow 22, that was converted by Peter O"Neill to edge Edenderry ahead 8-7. The battle commenced on the restart with Tullow trying to get back in front, but Edenderry matched Tullow young man for young man, winning the personal duels through out. As the final whistle blew, victory was Edenderry"s . Great credit is due to all the players, with huge performances on the day by the pack in particular.. Man of the match award would be shared by all in Edenderry shirts. Team: G Morley, D Evans, A Tramantozzi (Captain), M Anderson, J McCormack, E Curry; B Holt; S Doyle; E Dowling, R Brereton, A Munnelly, S Donuhue, S Cronin, O Kelly, P O"Neill , O Kelly, N Brothwood Edenderry Under 14"s Edenderry 25, Portarlington 19.