Under 21 Harry Gale League Cup

Tullow 0 Tullamore 20

Tullamore ended 2009 with a bonus point victory against Tullow in bitterly cold conditions at Black Gates last week. The inclement weather conditions failed to dampen Tullamore's mood, though it did at times make it difficult to spread the ball wide. The lineouts became a lottery, place kicking became impossible as the game progressed and the winds picked up.
The holders had the better of the early stages, with the Tulllamore backs continuously probing behind the Tullow defence with low kicks which gave Tullamore vital territory from which to attack. Kevin Browne gave Tullamore the lead with an early try when he drove over after replacement Phillip Jordan had marched down the wing.
David Cleary was next to score when the Tullamore pack were again able to convert their pack's dominance into points. Tullow then experienced a period of prolonged dominance in the Tullamore '22', though their failure to breach the Tullamore line was a fillip for the visitors as half time relieved the pressure.
Buoyed by their sterling defence, Tullamore had almost all the ball in the second half. Unfortunately, the gale force wind prevented  Tullamore from testing Tullow out wide, though the forwards were more than content to keep the ball tight. Quick ball in the corner allowed Kevin Browne to continue his remarkable scoring tally against Tullow with his fourth try in three games against this opposition.
With a fifteen point lead, and three tries in the bag, Tullamore upped the ante as they applied pressure in the latter stages in their bid to earn their first bonus point of the season, having twice previously come up short with three tries. With the last play of the game, Ger Wynne dummied and broke the Tullow line off the back of the scrum before playing in Paul McNiff to ground and finished the job for Tullamore with a perfect result and regain top spot in the table.
This gives Tullamore new momentum as the business end of the season begins. They now have three remaining games in the group stage in which to guarantee their place in the knockout stages and have a home venue for the semi-final.  Tullamore play their next game  away to Old Wesley on Sunday 17^th January at 2pm. On Sunday 24^th January they are at home to UCD with their last match away to local rivals and Harry Gale Cup favourites Mullingar on Sunday 31^st January.

 

ALL  IRELAND JUNIOR CUP.

The saga continues when the refixed match became a victim of the weather again on Saturday. The I.R.F.U. have ruled that the match now goes to Armagh on Saturday 16th even though conditions were no different at either venue on both match days. Needless to say Tullamore are not happy with the decision and seeking clarification on a few issues.

The Leinster League matches fixed for next weekend will now take place, weather permitting with Tullamore away to Seapoint at 4.15pm and the 2nds match preceeding it at 2.30pm.

There will be no Youths or Minis training until the weather improves.