Promising performance sees Portlaoise leave Longford with the win
Portlaoise U-16’s got back to winning ways in their second game of the Leinster League with a good win away to Longford. After a keenly contested first half in which both teams were challenged by a cross-field breeze and driving rain, the away side turned in a fine second half performance to seal the win.
Portlaoise got off to a good start and put a number of phases together as both sides, who hadn’t met previously, sounded one another out. The away team kept control of the ball and, following good work by Mark Ging, Ricky Lyons, and Conor Deegan, the ball came to Daniel Whelan who weaved his way through the defence to touch down out on right. Matt Cunningham added the extras for a 7-0 lead.
Portlaoise 43
Longford 15
Portlaoise doubled their lead a few minutes later. Longford were on the attack deep in the opposition half before some fine counter-rucking by Donnchadh Carroll allowed Cullen Kirwan to break up along the right touchline. He kicked towards the line and, with the defence under pressure to protect the ball, Dara Coffey was on hand to cross the line for a fine try in the corner. Cunningham did well to convert and extend the led to 14-0.
Longford were well in the game and got on the scoreboard after some fine work by their forwards when they scored under the posts and the extras were added to make it 14-7.
It didn’t take Portlaoise long to respond, however, with Shane Foley making a great run down the blindside and there was no stopping him as he powered over out on the left.
Credit to Longford, they replied in kind and, again, it was their forwards that did the damage as they drove over to the right of the posts.
In a busy period for the scoreboard operator, Cunningham broke down the right and Kyle Moore and Aaron Fitzpatrick kept the attack going before Declan Iguma rounded off a fine move to touch down in the corner. The extras were added to make it 24-12 to the visitors but the home side had the final say in the half with a penalty goal from the 22 to leave it 24-15 at the break.
The weather cleared for the second half and it had a positive impact on the Portlaoise performance. Captain Eanna Moynihan led the way driving through the defence to extend the lead and Donnchadh Carroll followed suit a few minutes later after quick ball through the back line saw him sprint through to touch down for a 36-15 lead.
The home side continued to work hard but great work in defence by Bill Rigney, Darragh Maher, and Stephen Conroy repelled the Longford attacks. Portlaoise saved their best for last as they put 18 phases together as the clock ticked into the red. Paul Byrne was the orchestrator as the attack went left and then right with strong carries from Jamie Shiel, Joey McGuinness, and David Allely before play was switched left once more and Declan Iguma hugged the touchline as he crossed the white wash and sprinted towards the posts to touch down. The extras were added for a final score of 43-15.