North Midlands U17s overcome dogged Midlands team under Friday night lights

North Midlands 43

Midlands 20

North Midland’s played Midlands in Edenderry on Friday in a new competition for U17 boys as part of the Leinster Rugby player development programme.

The home side had the better of the opening exchanges and held a 15-5 lead after 3 0minutes, with two tries. The North Midlands rallied, and with two well taken tries from Hugh Martin (Cill Dara) and one from out half Turlough Donnelly (Newbridge) left the score at half time 17-15 in favour of the North Midland’s. The start was a typical first run out, players were tentative and not playing the rugby we know the lads can play.

To be fair the pack knuckled down and through some big plays from Joe Cole (Athy), Éanna Moynihan (Portlaoise)  and Declan Iguma (Portlaoise) the North Midlands started to play some great rugby. Unfortunately, Declan picked up an injury on the half hour mark having put in an energetic performance. A great break from centre Dan Whelan (Portlaoise) from within his own half put Hugh Martin (Cill Dara) in for the final score of the half.  

North Midlands really owned the second half, with some well taken tries, through some massive physicality from the forwards with close in scores from the Portlaoise pair, Captain Éanna Moynihan and Fionn Mullins. This contrasted with some swashbuckling plays from the backline that saw brilliant scores from Matt Costello (Naas) and Mathew Cunningham (Portlaoise). Unfortunately, we lost our strong carrying number 8 Oisín Brien with twenty minutes to go through injury, no doubt Oisín will bounce back stronger than ever.

All in all, what stood out was the never-say-die attitude and hard work from the group which comes from the coaching from their Clubs and great training every Monday night by the North Midlands coaching staff .

Really enjoyable game from both sides well done to all the players, final score 43-20 in favour of the North Midland’s.

Matt Costello (Naas): Dan McConnell (Cill Dara): Daniel Whelan (Portlaoise):  Matt Cunningham (Portlaoise): Hugh Martin (Cill Dara): Turlough Donnelly (Newbridge): Paul Byrne (Portlaoise): Oisín Brien (Naas): Éanna Moynihan (Portlaoise Capt.): Rian Cullen (Naas): Joe Cole (Athy): Cian Doyle (Newbridge):  Declan Iguma (Portlaoise): Myles McNamara (Newbridge): Chris Hulin (Newbridge): Fionn Mullen (Portlaoise): Donnacha Miley  (Newbridge): Luke Duffy  (Newbridge): Josh O’Keefe (Newbridge): Liam Blair (Clondalkin): Bruno McCann (Clondalkin). Unavailable Zach McGuiness (Portlaoise) Cormac Drea (Portlaoise), Daragh White (Portarlington), Odhrán O’Reilly(Portarlington), Ben Stapleton (Portarlington), Franklin Onwuzulumba (Clondalkin), Liam O’Grady (Newbridge).