Tullamore do enough to win in testing conditions

RUGBY: NEWSTALK PROVINCIAL TOWNS CUP. Not a pretty sight but then weather conditions were always going to make life difficult for both teams in this second round cup match. A bitter wind, rain, sleet, and a wet pitch did not suit either team, particularly Tullamore who perhaps tried to play a too expansive type of game on the day. Anyway, job done and Tullamore are through to the quarter-final next Sunday to meet fellow Division 1 side Enniscorthy. Tullamore took the game to the visitors from the off and within two minutes were camped on the visitors" line. A break by Colin Finnerty was stopped close to the line and Tullamore threw away a certain try with a forward pass when they had a two-man overlap 10 metres from the line. Athy punished the home side"s errors with a penalty after 14 minutes. Tullamore continued to win good ball but handling errors and over elaboration prevented them scoring. They went back to basics after 25 minutes and following a 5 metre lineout they mauled the ball over the line, with hooker Cian Glennon getting the touchdown. The score remained the same, 5-3, at half-time. The first 15 minutes of the second half were evenly contested with Tullamore creating the more chances as conditions deteriorated further. Gearoid O"Grady kicked a penalty to widen the gap midway through but in a repeat of the first half lineout and maul, Tullamore scored their second try and this time it was replacement hooker Cian O"Sullivan that got the touch down. The pack worked hard all day and the two tries were some reward for their efforts. New recruit Philip Gardiner continues to improve and grow in confidence and Ivor Scully was prominent all through. The four U-20s in the squad, Feighery, O"Sullivan, Scally and N Geraghty continue to impress. The Print Plus man of the match goes to Colin Finnerty, who gave a much-needed physical presence to the pack missing two frontline second rows. TEAM 15. Richie Hughes, 14. Mark Whelan, 13. Ivor Scully, 12. Philip Gardiner, 11. Colin Hughes, 10. Gearoid O"Grady, 9. Derrick Farrell, 1. Ronan Glennon, 2. Cian Glennon, 3. Alvin Bracken, 4. Donal Milne, 5. Polonga Pedro, 6. Cathal Feighery, 7. Rob Connor, 8. Colin Finnerty. REPLACEMENTS USED: Ronan Scally, Darragh Lowry, Andy Melville, Cian O"Sullivan and Niall Geraghty. PROVINCIAL 2NDs TOWNS CUP EDENDERRY 09 TULLAMORE 15. Weather conditions played a large part in this forgettable cup tie on Saturday as Tullamore overcame a spirited home side. Tullamore are now away to Enniscorthy at a date to be decided but probably 29th March. Tullamore playing against the wind attacked from the start and as the penalty account began to mount against the home side it was inevitable when Niall Geraghty opened the scoring with a penalty after 12 minutes. Better was to follow 10 minutes later when a quick thinking Aidan O"Reilly took a tap penalty, made a great break and the supporting Dermot Galvin scored a try in the corner. The home side replied with a penalty when Tullamore were caught offside to leave the visitors leading 8-3 at half-time. It was game over when super sub Andy Melville trotted in for a try with 15 minutes left and Niall Geraghty converted. Most players will feel that they can improve in their performances, with the exception of Dermot Galvin and the Old Harbour Bar man of the match, Ciaran McNeill. TEAM: 15. Niall Geraghty, 14. Adrian Dalton, 13. Dermot Galvin, 12. Paul O"Grady, 11. Gary O"Dea, 9. Mick Fox, 1. Darragh Lowry (capt), 2. Eddie Connor, 3. Ronan Scally, 4. Ciaran McNeill, 5. Michael Tormey, 6. Nigel Ravenhill, 7. Aidan O"Reilly 8. Mick Harte. Replacements used: Cian O"Sullivan, Andy Melville and Eric Conway. AIB All-IRELAND JUNIOR CUP Tullamore take on Cashel on Saturday 21st March. Tullamore RFC will be hosting a lunch prior to this game in honour of the late Oliver McGlinchey. The Cashel connection is that two of Oliver"s grandsons play their rugby there. Oliver (jnr) has played for Munster Juniors and will probably start against Tullamore. The lunch will also be an opportunity to 'Meet Harry' as the players from the three successful Harry Gale U-20 teams will attend. Contact the "85 captain Gerry Egan, the 95 captain David D Deering and the "09 captain Fearghal Kerin for details. NEXT WEEKEND 1ST TEAM are home to Enniscorthy in the Q/Finals of the Newstalk Provincial Towns Cup on Sunday (3pm). 3RD TEAM are home to Longford in the 1ST Round of the Anderson Leinster Cup on Sunday (1.30pm). U-16s are home to North Kildare in the Leinster U-16 Cup on Saturday (2.30pm).