TULLAMORE RUGBY REPORT W/E 24TH  JAN  2010.

The bad weather which had already resulted in the postponement of three matches in the last month struck again in the form of heavy fog on Saturday evening last when the referee pulled the Leinster League clash between Tullamore and Dundalk ten minutes before K.O. What made it more difficult to understand was that the 2nds match had just concluded between the same two clubs. The turning on of the floodlights did not improve the conditions to the satisfaction of the referee who was concerned about player safety. The match is being refixed for Sat 27th February.

TULLAMORE 2NDs    38      DUNDALK 2NDs    10

Tullamore fielding probably their strongest side in months were far to strong for bottom placed team Dundalk in this match. Tullamore are on top of the League by three points with a game in hand but still have to the play the  three teams chasing them for the title.

Tullamore welcomed back prop and captain Darragh Lowry  after a long injury and it did take long for the home side to open the scoring with an Aidan O’Reilly try.Winger Aidan Ryan was next to score a try converted by Eric Conway. After Rory Deverell scored the third try the home side relaxed and Dundalk scored ten points before half time with a converted try and a penalty. This left the home side with a 17-10 lead at the break.

The third quarter remained scoreless and Rory Deverell got in for the bonus point try on  22 minutes that Eric converted. Ten minutes later a fine individual try from Rory  made it a hat trick for him on the day  and again Eric converted. On the stoke of full time  Gary O’ Dea got a try in the corner and Eric converted from the touchline.

A fine allround performance from the 20 players on duty and they will look forward to their visit to Seapoint on the 31st Jan.

TEAM; 15.Rory Deverell, 14.Gary O’ Dea, 13.Keith Scally, 12.Paul O’Grady, 11.Aidan Ryan, 10. Eric Conway, 9. Ivan Dunne, 1.Darragh Lowry (Capt), 2.Cian Glennon, 3.Ronan Scally, 4.John Connolly,5. Ciaran McNeill, 6. Mick Harte, 7. Aidan O’ Reilly, 8.Donal Milne.

Replacements used. Gavin McDermott, Keith Cleary, Nigel Ravenhill, Mick Fox, Raymond Farrell

U-21 HARRY GALE LEAGUE CUP

Tullamore 27    U.C.D.  03

A comfortable win with a bonus point sets Tullamore up for a head to head against Mullingar for the top spot in the league phase in this competition  in their final match on Sunday 7th Feb. Finishing first or second gaurantees a home venue for the semi-final.

The first twenty minutes of this contest were poor with neither side showing any great attacking potential. Cormac Moloney settled the nerves with a penalty after twenty two minutes. Just before half time props Molloy and Cronin returned to the game after recovering from slight knocks and in their first scrum Tullamore got a push over try from a five metre scrum credited to Philip Jordan. In injury time again from a scrum going forward Cormac Moloney broke and Paul Mcniff showed great pace and a sidestep to score a try. 15-00 was a good lead in very foggy conditions at half time.

U.C.D. scored a penalty early in the second half but never threatened the Tullamore line due to a strong defence. It was no surprise when Kevin Browne extended the lead with a try with fifteen minutes left. Near the end Alan Rasoul got the all important bonus try following good support play from the backline and Cormac Moloney converted.

A reasonable performance but Tullamore will need to improve if they are to retain this trophy. Paul McNiff had a powerfull game and he was well supported by the front row on Ger Molloy, Kevin Browne and Paul Cronin. Cormac Moloney did well playing out of position at No 10.