Sluggish start cost Tullamore historic treble chance

Newstalk Provincial Towns Cup Final Tullamore 21 Boyne 27 A sluggish start ultimately cost Tullamore their chance of an historic treble as Boyne claimed the Provincial Towns Cup in Ashbourne last Sunday. Tullamore were looking to add this title to the Under-20 Harry Gale Cup and AIB All-Ireland Junior Cup, but fell behind 12-0 after only 26 minutes and had a mountain to climb thereafter. Tries by Colin Hughes and Brian Geraghty, along with three penalties and a conversion by Gearoid O"Grady, eventually brought Tullamore right back in the contest but they couldn"t make up for a disappointing start to proceedings. Tullamore, however, can be proud of their efforts but they came up against a well-drilled and free flowing Boyne side on the day. The best players on the pitch were Tullamore"s Aaron Deverell at inside-centre and Boyne"s Niall Kerbey, who scored 17 points and was a constant menace with the ball in his hands. TULLAMORE: Ronan Glennon, Cian Glennon, Alvin Bracken, Dave Hanlon, Brian Geraghty, Cathal Feighery, Colin Finnerty, Donal Milne, Richie Hughes, Gearoid O"Grady, Colin Hughes, Aaron Deverell, Ivor Scully, Mark Whelan, Niall Geraghty. Replacements: Andy Melville for C Feighery (44 mins); Derek Farrell for R Hughes (69); Philip Gardiner for C Hughes (69). BOYNE: Cillian Duffy, Brendan Muldowney, Paddy Cooney, Paddy Muldowney, Ian O"Reilly, Nico Vorster, Hadley Dryden, Eoin Collins, Craig McGrath, Brian Collins, Brian Howell, Richard Downey, Bevan Duffy, Adam Sherrard, Niall Kerbey. Replacements: Laurence McEvoy for Cooney (54 mins). REFEREE: Dudley Phillips.