A.I.B. ALL IRELAND JUNIOR CUP SEMI-FINAL.

Armagh   21     Tullamore  08

The dream of a third final in a row came to an abrupt end in Armagh last Saturday when the home side proved to be more clinical finishers than Tullamore who won enough possession through their pack to win any game. There is an obvious lack of confidence in a side that has loads of ability.

The target now is to get back into the top three in the Leinster League and have another good Cup run. Tullamore are a great  cup side and proved that last season winning 7 out of 8 cup matches.

On a positive note it was great to have Aaron Deverell back from his world tour and he had to step in at No10 when David Deering cried off sick. He acquited himself well in the circumstances.  Not surprisingly the home side started the brighter but Tullamore played well in the first quarter. However three kickable penalties were conceded within the next 10  minutes and Armagh converted two of them. A Tullamore penalty attempt hit the post and was cleared. After 35 minutes Tullamore tried a chip and chase out of defense but lost possession. Armagh spun the ball wide and with the support arriving quickly their prop got in for a try.  Just before the break Tullamore won a penalty through their dominant scrum for Mark Whelan to kick. 11-03 down at half time did not look too bad.

That problem of sin binnings came back to haunt  the visitors and Tullamore had two players in it for 10 minutes each. Being one short for the first 20 minutes of the second half and trying to chase a game proved too much  but it took the home side 26 minutes to increase their lead with a penalty. The last 5 minutes brought a try to each side with Adrian Hanley being the quickest to react to penalty awarded to Tullamore 10 metres from the Armagh line.

While Tullamore underperformed on the day I expect them to bounce back starting next Saturday with the visit of Dundalk to Spollenstown in a vital league match.

TEAM; 15.Ivan Dunne, 14.Keith Scally, 13.Sean Brady, 12.Ivor Scully, 11.Mark Whelan, 10.Aaron Deverell, 9. Richie Hughes, 1. Ronan Glennon, 2.Cathal Feighery,3. Alvin Bracken, 4.Dave Hanlon, 5. Ivor Deverell, 6. David Milne, 7. Rob Connor (capt), 8 Adrian Hanley

Replacements used; Cian Glennon, Ronan Scally, Donal Milne, Paul McNiff, Niall Geraghty and Colin Hughes.

South Leinster Provincial 3rds League

Tullamore  09  Portlaoise  10.

In an entertaining game on a lovely sunny Sunday afternoon the visitors won the day by the narrowest of margins. Eric Conway kicked two penalties and Dermot Doohan added another late in the game.Veteren Nigel Ravenhill won the man of the match  award with a great display in the 2nd row.

 NEXT WEEKEND;

Sat  Tullamore  v  Dundalk  @4.00pm in Leinster League Div 1.A  at home

        Tullamore 2nds  v Dundalks 2nds at 2.15pm in Leinster League at home.

        Enniscorthy 3rds  v  Tullamore 3rds  at 2.30pm in Leinster League away

        Tullamore U-13s and U-15s  away to Longford @ 11.00am  in Area League

Sun  Tullamore U-21s  v  U.C.D. at 2.30pm in Gale League Cup at home  

HEINEKEN CUP.

The trophy will be in Tullamore on Friday and Saturday of this week. 7 schools will be visited on Friday and the cup will be at Youths training on Saturday morning. It will be in the clubhouse for the rest of the day and especially when Leinster take on London Irish at 6.00pm. 

GOAL HAITI APPEAL

There will be a collection at all home matches this weekend  for the Haiti Earthquake Fund.  Dig deep and give generousily.