Francis nets double as Tullamore pull away in second half

A devastating five minutes either side of half-time ensured Tullamore kept their title challenge on track in Leah Victoria Park last Friday. Up until the 45th minute, the visitors had every reason to believe they were worth at least a point, as they matched Town in almost every department. With Peter O'Donnell and Graham Campbell a constant threat on the flanks, the home side had to battle to stay in the game but, with Ken Doyle and Mark Gorman holding firm at the back, and Scott Delaney and Stephen Francis working tirelessly, they slowly and relentlessly fought their way back into the game. Trevor Moylan and Fergal Gorman combined to pick out Delaney, but his effort was deflected wide, while at the other end Ken Doyle had to be at his best to cut out a searching cross. The home side went close when Brian Francis broke clear but his shot flew across the face of the goal and, with a minute remaining in the first half, they struck for the opener. Fergal Gorman picked out Trevor Moylan on the right and his cross broke to Delaney, who drove the ball into the net. With the visitors reeling, Town hammered home their advantage when Francis swapped passes with Michael Hoey before firing home. With just four minutes gone in the second half, Tullamore increased their advantage when Hoey drove the ball into the roof of the net at the back post. The return of Matthew Carragher to first-team duty on 70 minutes was warmly greeted by the home support. A fine move involving Hoey, Francis and Moylan ended with Jason Pohl volleying over, and then Carragher played a lovely ball to Gorman, but his effort was charged down. It was also good to see Ross Kinnarney from the youths team given playing time, as the home side tightened their grip on the game. With minutes remaining, Francis added another goal to cap a fine individual performance. The win lifted Tullamore to fourth place in the League and, with games in hand, gives them a wonderful launching pad in the push for promotion. In what was a wonderful all round team performance there were excellent contributions from Joe Mooney, Mark Gorman, Scott Delaney and Michael Hoey with Ronan Mangan, Peter O'Donnell and Graham Campbell the pick of the visitors, but the man of the match award went to Tullamore's outstanding central defender, Ken Doyle. Tullamore: Joe Mooney; Trevor Moylan, Mark Gorman, Ken Doyle, Michael Kenaney, Fergal Gorman, Stephen Francis, Scott Delaney, Jason Pohl, Brian Francis, Michael Hoey. Subs: Matthew Carragher, Ross Kinnarney, Mark Goodings, Ciaran Carragher.