Tullamore enjoy successful opening cup defence

Tullamore began their defence of this cup with a 200-mile journey to the north coast to play Coleraine. The facilities were outstanding, the welcome warm and Tullamore just about deserved the win. The visitors dominated the opening hour and were 17 points up facing into the last quarter. There are some questions being asked by the players of themselves as to how they conceded two converted tries in the last fifteen minutes. It could have been worse as the hosts failed to convert a 48 metre penalty in injury time. The opening 10 minutes was like a game of ping pong with both sides testing each other out. Tullamore comfortably defended the early onslaught with some good tackling. On their first attack of note Tullamore ran the ball from right to left and back again for Rob Connor to make the break for the opening try after 11 minutes. Coleraine missed two kickable penalties before the visitors increased their lead with a penalty from Gearoid O'Grady following offside at a ruck. In the 21st minute Tullamore lost the ball ten metres from the Coleraine line and the home side ran the length of the pitch for a converted try. The referee eventually got fed up of the consistent offside by Coleraine and following a general warning sin binned their No 6. Gearoid slotted over the resulting penalty after 25 minutes. Some minutes later the visitors took full advantage of the extra man when Gearoid put in a superb crossfield kick for Niall Geraghty to field and pass to the onrushing Ivor Scully to score a try. Gearoid converted from near the touchline to leave Tullamore leading 18-7 at half-time. Coleraine kicked an early penalty in the second half but Gearoid O'Grady replied with three good penalties in the 7th,15th and 19th minutes to extend the lead to 17 points. With 15 minutes left Coleraine threw caution to the wind and attacked at every opportunity. This tactic paid off as the visitors defence which was outstanding for the first hour suddenly leaked two converted tries. This resulted in a very anxious last 8 minutes but the team stayed cool and only conceded a long range penalty that was outside the kickers range. It was great to see a return to form of some players no more so than Man of the Match Colin Finnerty closely followed by Rob Connor, Ivor Deverell, Niall Geraghty and Ivor Scully. Leinster League resumes next week with the visit of Towns Cup winners, Boyne. Tullamore will need little motivation after last year's cup final defeat and also losing to them in the league. A great game is in prospect. TEAM; 15.Niall Geraghty, 14. Mark Whelan, 13.Ivan Dunne, 12. Sean Brady, 11. Ivor Scully, 10. Gearoid O'Grady(capt), 9. Ray Farrell, 1.Ronan Glennon, 2. Cathal Feighery, 3. Eddie Brady, 4. Ivor Deverell, 5.Donal Milne, 6. David Milne, 7.Rob Connor, 8. Colin Finnerty. Replacements used; Alvin Bracken, Brian Geraghty, Keith Scally, Andy Melville and Kevin Browne. U-21 LEINSTER GALE LEAGUE CUP Portarlington 05 Tullamore 17. You can summerise the first half by reporting that Portarlinton missed their three scoring chances and that Tullamore took their two opportunities. Tullamore lost their loose head prop, Ger Molloy to injury within 8 minutes but still were the stronger outfit in the tight. Following Portarlington missing two kickable penalties the visitors broke out of defence and against a strong wind kicked up field. When the home side were penalised for not releasing the ball on the ground the quick penalty was ran and Alan Rasoul scored the opening try. Some minutes later Tullamore scored another breakaway try when Fearghal Kerin was on the shoulder of Alan Rasoul to score a try. The conversion was missed but Tullamore lead 10-00 at half time. The second half was noticable for the fact that the strong wind dissapeared and this reulted in a more even territorial battle. Portarlington got back into contention with a try in the corner following sustained pressure. They threatened the Tullamore line on a few other occassions but a good defence with Cleary and Browne to the fore held firm. The visitors finished the stonger and following a Mick Brassil U turn in the middle of the pitch Brian Geraghty took a pass and raced clear to score a third try that was converted this time. There is both potential and room for improvement in this side and they can go a long way in this competition.Next Saturday afternoon D.S.L.P. are the visitors to Spollenstown. Team. 15. Noel Andrew Graham, 14. Alan Rasoul, 13. Daryl Kilroe, 12.Chris Gethings, 11.Fearghal Leonard, 10. Mick Brassil, 9. Danny Madden, 1.Ger Molloy, 2. Kevin Browne, 3. Dan Cronin, 4. Fearghal Kerin, 5. Brian Geraghty,6. Cormac Moloney, 7.Paul McNiff, 8.David Cleary. Replacements used, Daryl Daly, David Molyaneux, Mark Kennedy, Nick Berry. Leinster Under 17 League Boyne 5, Tullamore 14. A great win away from home by this side who are still in contention for a top two finish in this section of the league. Losing a player in the warm up does not help but it was Tullamore who applied the early pressure and David Fennell broke through for a try with Pietro Scarnicchio kicking the conversion. When Pietro pinned the home side in the corner Tullamore took full advantage as Conor Hegarty released Johnny Brophy to score a second try and Pietro rounded off the half with a difficult conversion to leave the visitors 14-00 up at half time. Tullamore were forced to defend against a strong wind for the second half and they did so magnificently as they only conceded a try on the stroke of fulltime. Johnny Brophy was the man of the match and this team are away again next week to Navan. Midland Under 15 League Birr 15, Tullamore 12 The under 15 squad travelled to Birr on Saturday for their away clash with Birr. From the kick off Birr, with a very strong wind, piled on the pressure and Tullamore ended up defending for the full first half. With only five minutes on the clock Birr crossed the try line and put their first points on the scoreboard, Birr scored again just before the half-time whistle and Tullamore were 10-00 down at half time. It took another try by Birr and a change in the pack when Dylan Martin, just back from injury, came on for Tullamore to decide to take control of the play and show that they were better than the score indicated. With some quick ball out to the backs, full back Oisin Cusack scored Tullamore's first try. Centre Declan Byrne put down for his first ever competitive try under the posts. Karl Dunne took the easy conversion. Tullamore continued to pile on the pressure but the final whistle came too early. Squad- Tiernan Mealiffe, Jerome Scully, Kealan Feery, Sean Milner, Ronan Daly, Mark Condron, Anthony Kane, Adam Mangan, Connor Martin, Karl Dunne, Stephen Norton, Michael Keogh, Declan Byrne, James Lawlor, Oisin Cusack, Dylan Martin, Thomas Daly, Jack Brennan, Brian Conlon, Aaron Pierce, Eoghan Galvin, Alan Scally. NEXT WEEKEND; Saturday - 1ST Team are home to Boyne in the Leinster League Div 1.A with a 7.00pm K.O. 2ND Team are also home to Boyne in the Leinster League with a 5.15pm K.O. U-21s are home to D.S.L.P. in the Gale League Cup with a 2.30pm. K.O. U17s are away to Navan in the Leinster Premier Div League. U-15s and U-13s are away to Edenderry on Saturday in Mid Area Leagues Sunday - 3rds Team are home to Enniscorthy in S.L. Provincial 3rds League at 2.30pm.