Tullamore to host Roscrea in Area League final

The 2008 Area League Final between Tullamore and Roscrea will take place on Sunday 28th December at 2pm in Spollenstown, Tullamore. This a repeat of last year"s final at the same venue when Tullamore had a narrow win in the 50th season of this competition. The final is between the top two teams after the league phase with the top placed team having home advantage. League positions or divisions mean nothing in local derbies and another close game is anticipated. The sides have already met in the league phase in Roscrea at the start of the season and the visitors won 17-6. There will be a certain amount of sadness at the final this year as Oliver McGlinchey, one of the two men who presented the trophy to the Area in 1958 died this month. The late Oliver presented the trophy after last year"s final. This final will bring together the winners of the last two years, as Roscrea were the 2006 champions when they won for the 5th time in their history. Tullamore are the leading winners with 20 titles. Roscrea are coached by John Lillis, who has coached Munster Juniors, and the side contains three dual status players in Aaron Carroll, Roy Moloney and Robert Dempsey, while veteran Alan Tynan has over 20 years in the Roscrea colours. They will be captained as they were last year by Malachy Maher. Tullamore are now coached by Andy Melville, who also is regarded as "super sub", and captained by Gearoid O"Grady, who plays at No 10. Dave Hanlon, Richie Hughes, Rob Connor and the captain were all part of the Leinster Junior Squad who won the Inter-pros last season. Seconds Midland Area League TULLAMORE 11 EDENDERRY 08 With this narrow win Tullamore have completed their league campaign unbeaten and are therefore crowned Area League winners for 2008. This was a tough contest and Edenderry gave the home side their most difficult match in the League. They took the lead early in the match and held on to it until injury time when Derek Farrell was successful with a penalty. If the Edenderry handling was better they could have scored more but the sides were level at 3-3 at half-time. The best moment of a dull game to watch was on 18 minutes when captain Darragh Lowry made a thirty-metre break and centre Niall Moran was on his shoulder to take the pass and score a try in the corner. Seven minutes later, Derek Farrell stretched the lead to 8 points with a penalty. Edenderry lifted their game and got in for a try with seven minutes remaining. It took an excellent tackle by Jimmy Connell to save the home side in injury-time. Michael Tormey had a stormer when he came on as a replacement and others to catch the eye were Cyril Cornally, Alvin Bracken and Derek Farrell, but the Old Harbour Bar man of the match goes to captain Darragh Lowry, who was determined not to lose the league at the final hurdle and played with huge commitment. TEAM: 15. David Deering, 14. Jimmy B Connell, 13. Derek Farrell, 12. Niall Moran, 11. Aidan Conroy, 10. Paul White, 9. Mick Fox, 1. Darragh Lowry ( capt.), 2. Eddie Connor, 3. Alvin Bracken, 4. Eoin Kerin, 5. Ciaran McNeill, 6. Cyril Cornally, 7. Mick Harte, 8. Mick Glew. REPLACEMENTS USED. Michael Tormey. St Stephen"s Day Match This year the annual fixture is TULLAMORE U-20s v EXILES U-20s. Tullamore U-20s are going very well this season under Captain Fearghal Kerin and are top of the Leinster Harry Gale League Cup. The Exiles are being managed by Fearghal"s dad, Phelim Kerin, and will be featuring players such as Daire O"Beirne (U.C.D.) David Joyce (Trinity), Kevin Quinlan (Lansdowne) and the Buccaneers duo of Colin Draper and Paul Robinson. K.O. is at 2pm. Youths Christmas Hamper Draw The draw took place on Sunday evening and the efforts of the young lads in selling cards made the draw a huge success. A presentation was made to Dean Cahill who sold €950 worth of lines. The hampers were sponsored by ACC Bank (Martin Feely), Milne O"Dwyer (Aidan Egan) and Ulster Bank (Robert Keady). Other prizes were given by Cards "n" Things and Sharon Feery Cakes. A special thanks to John Cusack, Manager of the Bridge Centre, and his staff for facilitating the club with selling cards in the centre. Santa In The Club Santa Claus arrived last Sunday evening after the draw and gave presents to the younger lads of the club and the children of members. Thanks to Pat Dunne who was Santa"s adviser and to his little helpers Carole, Olive and Martina. Donal Milne Computer Services sponsored the evening and paid Santa"s travelling expenses!