Leinster League Div 1A.

Tullamore    27   CILL Dara  08.

Tullamore’s hat trick of wins has resulted in them finishing 3rd in the league from a possible relegation spot of 6th. The problem of a sixth place finish this season would be if Carlow or Nass or possibly both being relegated from the A.I.L.  

Tullamore had a let off after 2 minutes when the visitors missed an easy penalty. Within ten minutes Tullamore had taken the lead with an Ivor Deverell try in the corner. Ivor who had a terrific game had a lot of work to do when he received the pass but sheer determination got him over the line. Niall Geraghty converted from five metres in from touch and Tullamore were on there way. Midway  in the half Cill Dara kicked a penalty only for Niall to respond with a similar effort five minutes later.  10 -03 remained the scorline until half time.

Early in the second half there was a dangerous high tackle on Mark Whelan, a Cill Dara player was  duly sin binned and Niall extracted the maximum from it by kicking the penalty. Following some good work by the pack near the hour mark,  Ivor Deverell stole a Cill Dara lineout on their own  five metre line and Adrian Hanley forced his way over the line for a try that again Niall converted from near the touchline.  With sixteen minutes remaining Niall Geraghty got his boot to a loose ball and grubber kicked to the goal line where he won the race for the touchdown. It goes without saying that he converted it. With four minutes remaining Cill Dara got in for a consolation try that their efforts deserved.

A good performancec all round where the pack won their battles and the backs capitalised on it. The workrate of Cathal Feighery  was huge for the full  80 and Adrian Hanleys  ball carrying is going to worry any defence. Aaron Deverell is playing very well at 10 and this is instilling confidence in the whole side. The workrate of Ivor Scully was huge on Saturday and nothing got past him. Niall Geraghty equelled his tally of 17 points from the previous week and that will acceptable every week.

Next Sunday its back to the Newstalk Provincial Towns Cup 2nd Round against  Arklow who won the Cup in 2005.for a 3.00pm K.O.

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

Replacements used;  Ronan Scally, Paul McNiff, Paul O’Grady, Mick Fox  

LEINSTER  SECONDS  LEAGUE

Photo of presentation of Leinster Seconds League 2009/10.
On Saturday 6th Mar
L-R Pat Fitzgerald,, Leinster Rugby Management and I.R.F.U., Sean Joyce President Tullamore R.F.C., Mags Walshe and Darragh Lowry capt Tulamore 2nds.

TULLAMORE  15   CILL DARA 9

Champions Tullamore fielded on Saturday without five of the team that won the cup match the previous week and this is typical of the turnaround of players in this league campaign. 52 players have played some part in this league in the 14 games played. A total off 33 players received medals as they had three appearances or more. 

 Tulllamore had a slow start and conceded nine points as Cill Dara kicked two penalties and a drop goal in the first half hour. Tullamore dug in as their captain for the day Nigel Ravenhill would not accept defeat in the last game and also at home. The half finished with the visitors leading by nine points.

Eric Conway scored the opening try following a great break by Ciaran Lynch and he converted it himself. Better was to follow when Mick Harte scored from a pushover maul  mid way in the half. A penalty from Eric Conway  put the home side  six points clear and they were deserving winners on the day. The same two teams meet in the 2nd round of the Provincial Towns Seconds Cup on the 10th April. It will be a close game but Tullamore will have home advantage.

Replacements Ciaran Lynch and Mick Harte made huge contributions and will certainly interest Andy Melville when it comes to Cup selection. Nigel Ravenhill in the forwards and Eric Conway showed great leadership and both of these veterens played well.

The League Trophy and medals were presented afterwards in the clubhouse by Pat Fitzgerald of Leinster Rugby and the I.R.F.U. and by Dermot O’Mahony, Domestic Rugby Administrator, Leinster Rugby. The players invited Mags Walshe, widow of the late Ronnie, who was Team Manager to accept the trophy. Former team mates and friends  Vincent McFadden and Eric Conway spoke fondly and humourisly of “ the Keg” who is now “a Legend”.