Tullamore show their intent with away win over Skerries

On a beautiful evening by the sea Tullamore put on a display of power and controlled rugby that sent out a strong signal of their intentions in this year's league. With only two rounds gone in the league only Tullamore and Seapoint, who meet this Saturday in Spollenstown, remain unbeaten. Tullamore made a slow start to this game and conceded a penalty after four minutes that the Skerries No 10 kicked. It took a blockdown by David Hanlon that was hacked upfield by Sean Brady for Tullamore to get out of their own half for the first time after eight minutes of pressure. From the ensuing ruck the visitors were awarded a penalty that Gearoid O'Grady kicked. From the kick-off Tullamore conceded another penalty for holding on in a ruck and Skerries regained the lead. Another penalty under the Tullamore posts followed and again it was converted. The kicking contest continued between the two out-halves when Gearoid kicked a penalty after eighteen minutes. The visitors were beginning to get their backline moving and a copybook move worked after 25 minutes when centre Sean Brady scored from a scrum and Gearoid converted. Tullamore had a forward sin-binned for persistent penalties against the team and Skerries kicked their fourth penalty. The fourteen man Tullamore side cut loose just before the break and, when Colin Hughes was put in space, his speed took him outside the covering defence to score a great try. Gearoid again converted to leave the score 20-12 in favour of the visitors at half-time. The first 15 minutes of this second half were dominated by Tullamore, forcing the home side to concede penalties and Gearoid converted three penalties. Following a dubious forward pass Skerries broke clear from the halfway line to score a converted try and get themselves back into the game. Tullamore dominated the remainder of the game with that man Gearoid kicking two penalties. Skerries were further handicapped when their second row was binned for stamping. Twenty-points from the boot of Gearoid O'Grady was a huge contribution from the captain but everyone played well. The three enforced changes from the previous week were not a factor and the replacements were excellent. All the players are now looking forward to next Saturday when the favourites for the league Seapoint visit Tullamore with a 6pm K.O. A feature of Seapoint's success in the last few years has been their outstanding backrow, but this Tullamore back row of Finnerty, Connor and Hanley are possibly better. Team: 15 Mark Whelan, 14. Colin Hughes, 13. Sean Brady, 12. David Clavin, 11. Ivor Scully, 10. Gearoid O'Grady, 9. Richie Hughes, 1. Ronan Glennon, 2. Cathal Feighery, 3. Eddie Brady, 4. Dave Hanlon, 5. Ivor Deverell, 6. Colin Finnerty, 7. Rob Connor, 8. Adrian Hanley. Replacements used; Andy Melville, David Milne and Ray Farrell. NEXT WEEKEND Tullamore v Seapoint at 6pm -Leinster League Div 1A. Tullamore 2NDs v Seapoint 2NDs at 5pm- Leinster 2NDs League Div 1A. Tullamore U-17s v Naas U-17s at 1pm- Leinster Premier Div.