Tullamore prove too strong for Enniscorthy in Towns Cup clash

Tullamore 55 Enniscorthy 3 The poor performances of the last few weeks were forgotten with this clinical display of ball winning and taking of scoring opportunities created. Four U20s in the starting line-up and the loss of two of the most experienced forwards made no difference on the day when every player can be satisfied with his contribution. There was little to indicate the final scoreline in the first quarter which was evenly contested with only a Gearoid O"Grady penalty after 15 minutes separating the sides. The first spark was struck after 22 minutes by Gearoid with a crossfield kick that Mark Whelan gathered to score the opening try. Gearoid then kicked the conversion. Ten minutes later, following a perfect scrum Gearoid kicked up the touchline and debutant Niall Geraghty caught the ball and raced clear from the 10 metre line to score a second try that Gearoid again converted. Just before half-time, Gearoid kicked a penalty from 45 metres. The half-time score was 20-0. The second half scoring began after 8 minutes when following several phases Colin Finnerty was in support to touchdown for a converted try. A Colin Hughes break led to the next try as he released the ball in the tackle for Gearoid to race clear and score under the posts. Not to be outshone by his older brother, Brian Geraghty blocked down a kick on the halfway line, caught the bounce and raced half the length of the pitch to score. Enniscorthy got on the scoresheet with a penalty. O"Grady put boot to a dropped pass by Enniscorthy and won the race to the line for his second try. Aaron Deverell scored a fine individual try to round off the scoring. Gearoid O"Grady, who converted all seven tries on the day in a faultless display of kicking, led the way in the backline with a personal total of 30 points, while Aaron Deverell and Ivor Scully renewed a great centre partnership. Colin Finnerty was involved in every move and gave an outstanding exhibition of backrow play and it was no surprise that he won the Print Plus man of the match for the second week in a row. Rob Connor was not far behind and the evergreen Donal Milne showed the younger lads a thing or two, while prop Ronan Glennon was very lively around the pitch. TEAM: 15. Niall Geraghty, 14. Mark Whelan, 13. Ivor Scully, 12. Aaron Deverell, 11. Colin Hughes, 10. Gearoid O"Grady (capt), 9. Richie Hughes, 1. Ronan Glennon, 2. Cian Glennon, 3. Ronan Scully, 4. Donal Milne, 5. Brian Geraghty, 6. Cathal Feighery, 7. Rob Connor, 8. Colin Finnerty. REPLACEMENTS USED: Cian O"Sullivan, Alvin Bracken, Derrick Farrell, Mick Harte. Junior Cup Semi-Final Next weekend sees the visit of Cashel to Spollenstown for the AIB All Ireland Junior Cup Semi- Final on Saturday (2.30pm). Cashel come with the Munster Junior League title and the Munster Junior Challenge Cup already secured this season. They were unbeaten in the League with 11 straight wins. The home side will be hoping to repeat last year"s semi-final win against Clonmel. A lot will depend on the injury situation with Dave Hanlon and Polonga Pedro awaiting medical reports on recent injuries. Prior to the match there will be a lunch in honour of the late Oliver McGlinchey who died last December. Seventy years a member of the club and an iconic figure in Leinster rugby, he joined the club as an 18-year-old and passed away at 88 as a Trustee of the club. He held every position in the club more than once and even after his playing days, during which he won a Towns Cup medal in 1946, he found time to become a distinguished referee. The McGlinchey family are quests at the meal and Oliver"s son Joe is a member of Cashel RFC and his grandson, also called Oliver, will be playing for the Munster side.