Tullamore Rugby Club Notes
Tullamore fielded two first teams last weekend in order to give all the panel a chance to stake their claim for a place on the team to play Monkstown in the opening Leinster League Division 1A game at home on Saturday 19 September. Bective Rangers 6 Tullamore 5 This low scoring match in Donnybrook on Friday night was a lot more entertaining than the scoreline suggests, with the visitors more interested in the chance to move the ball than winning this friendly. The only try of the match was scored by club captain Gearoid O'Grady midway through the first half. Bective replied with a penalty before half-time and the only other score by Bective arrived in injury time in the second half. Colin Finnerty put in some outstanding tackles and showed well in attack. Aaron Deverell resumed at the high standard that he finished at last season. The new look front row with Cathal Feighery and Eddie Brady joining Ronan Glennon dominated in the tight until non contested scrums were called for by the home side. David Milne also made a promising return to the Tullamore colours. TEAM: 15. Brian Geraghty, 14. Chris Coombs, 13. Sean Brady, 12. Aaron Deverell, 11. Rory Deverell, 10 Gearoid O'Grady (capt), 9. Richie Hughes, 1. Ronan Glennon, 2. Cathal Feighery, 3. Eddie Brady, 4. Brian Geraghty, 5. Ivor Deverell, 6. Aidan O'Reilly, 7.David Milne, 8. Colin Finnerty. Replacements used: Cian Glennon, Ivor Scully, Rob Connor, Paul McNiff. MIDLAND AREA LEAGUE Roscrea 10 Tullamore 20 The second match of the weekend was a competitive game as Tullamore started the defence of the Area League. It was only in the last few minutes that Tullamore scored their second try to pull clear on the scoreboard. Roscrea opened the scoring with a penalty under the posts and John Moloney replied with a similar effort. Midway through the half and following a few rucks on the home team's line, Alvin Bracken burst through for a try converted by John. Just prior to the half-time break, Roscrea backs ran through the Tullamore defence to score under the posts A simple conversion levelled the score at 10 all at the break. John Moloney put the visitors ahead early in the second half. The scored remained the same until almost full-time when replacement Colin Finnerty scored a try following sustained pressure. John Moloney kicked the conversion to cap a good debut at No. 10 and he is one to watch in the future. The back row of Cyril Cornally, Rob Connor and Adrian Hanley were the driving forces in this game and the introduction of Colin Finnerty made for a formidable back row. Veteran Donal Milne showed some of the form that gained him three caps from Leinster Juniors last season. TEAM: 15. Mark Whelan, 14. Colin Hughes, 13. David Deering, 12. Ivor Scully, 11. Aidan Ryan, John Moloney, 9. Ray Farrell. 1. Darragh Lowry, 2. Cian Glennon, 3. Alvin Bracken, 4. Donal Milne, 5. John Connolly, 6. Cyril Cornally, 7. Rob Connor, 8. Adrian Hanley. Replacements used: Aidan O'Reilly, Colin Finnerty, Cathal Feighery, Mick Fox, Martin Cahill. Next weekend Tullamore host Mullingar in two Area League matches. The 1st team match doubles as the annual Alan Kilroy Memorial Trophy game between the two clubs. Youths and Minis Registration will be held on Saturday at 10.30am in the Clubhouse. Training for all teams will start next week.