Tullamore Rugby Notes

Provincial Towns 2nds Cup Tullamore 06 Portlaoise 00. If any evidence was required to prove that rugby is now a 20 or 22 man game depending on the number of replacements allowed, this was it. Tullamore used their 5 allowed replacements to maximum effect and each man of the 20 that played can be satisfied and proud of their display on Saturday night against Midland rivals Portlaoise. These two sides will meet again in the Leinster Provincial 2nds League Division 1 in early March to decide the league title and that match promises to be a close contest as there is very little between them. Saturday"s match was played in difficult conditions on a pitch that was in great condition in spite of two days" rain. It did, however, turn out to be a forward battle with a few good moves from both sets of backs. Tullamore had wind advantage in the first half but failed to capitalize on the scoreboard. The second saw the early introduction of Phillip Gardiner and Cian O"Sullivan and both made a major contribution to the home side. It was on the hour mark when the first score came with a successful penalty kick by out-half Paul White. Nine minutes later Paul repeated the effort with a second penalty to steady the nerves of the home supporters. In the final 10 minutes Portlaoise threw everything at the home defence and were held up when over the line with 5 minutes remaining and they had another chance to get a try but a handling error stopped the move. Tullamore are now away to neighbours Edenderry in the 2nd Round. Others to stand out on the night were full-back David Deering, Captain Darragh Lowry, the two second rows Ciaran McNeill and Nigel Ravenhill and the Old Harbour Bar Man of the Match, Colin Finnerty. TEAM: 15. David Deering, 14. Jimmy O"Connell, 13. Ivan Dunne, 12. Frankie de Villiers, 11. Brian Mahon, 10.Paul White, 9. Adam Hughes, 1. Darragh Lowry (Capt), 2. Eddie Connor, 3. Mick Glew, 4. Ciaran McNeill, 5. Nigel Ravenhill, 6. Mick Hart, 7. Aidan O"Reilly, 8. Colin Finnerty. REPLACEMENTS USED: Ronan Scally, Cian O"Sullivan, Philip Gardiner, Michael Tormey, Cyril Cornally. Referee: Clive Wardrop (Portarlington) A.R.L.B. Towns Cup - 1st Team Tullamore host Athy next Sunday at 3pm in the 2nd round of the Newstalk Provincial Towns Cup. The home team will be fancied to be in the hat for the Quarter-Finals on Sunday night. 3rd Team The 3rds made their first appearance of the season with friendly fixture away to Edenderry last Sunday that they lost. Next Sunday at 1pm they entertain Birr 2nd team in the Area League.