Leinster  2nds League 2009/10

Boyne  08  Tullamore 16.

A good  away win  in Drogheda on Saturday coupled with a defeat for second placed Seapoint results in Tullamore winning  the league. However the victory is totally overshadowed by the sudden death of team manager Ronnie Walsh on Sunday morning. This is Ronnies first venture into management and his death will be felt deeply in the club where he has been involved for 25 years.

The match itself was a triumph for three of the more mature players and the five U-21s who added such enthusiasm to the side. Donal Milne led the side and his presence, expierence and drive kept the side going in many a game. He reminded me that the team won all of the eight games he played in. Nigel Ravenhill, a more modest man is double the age of the youngest member of the side but you would never guess with his excellent performance at No.6. What more can your No.10 do other than score all the points on the day and  Eric Conway scored a try, conversion and three penalties in this game.

Tullamore started the game like a side going for the win and found themselves 13-03 up at half time. The second half was a question of holding onto this lead on a heavy pitch. This is when you need to use your rolling  replacements cleverly and Tullamore through Andy Melville and Ronnie did so even sending Melly out for the last fifteen minutes.

Next week the Cup starts and Tullamore face a tricky tie away to Balbriggan 1st team on Sunday.