Crucial bonus point win for Tullamore

Tullamore secured a valuable bonus point win at the weekend to Midleton. This was a crucial result for the midlanders, as the side had let games slip previously for a variety of reasons.

All-Ireland Rugby League Division 2C

Tullamore 32

Midleton 26

Midleton almost instantly hit the front through their lineout. This set up an attack on the Tullamore line and eventually breached for the first 7 pointer of the game. Tullamore soon settled through Conor Dunne and Scott Milne, who made notable carries in this period. The home side worked their way to the 5 metre line. Eoin O’Reilly spotted a gap in the defensive rearguard and burrowed his way through a hole, he still had plenty of work to do from this point. He then managed to step his opposite number 9 to dot down for Tullamore’s first of the day.

Craig Strong and Karl Dunne kicked Midleton deep into their 22 with every opportunity, forcing the visitors to turn and clear their lines. Conor Dunne got the second, some slick handling from the backs helped the side to the 22. They were awarded a penalty, and Conor quick tapped to bounce off several defenders to take the lead. Dunne was pitch perfect off the tee to this point, kicking the opening 2 conversions along with 2 penalties from an array of angles. Midleton scored late in the half when another lineout set up an attack for them to close the gap to 6 at the break.

The men from Cork started the better again and scored two tries from a scrum penalty and a lineout maul. Tullamore showed great composure and maintained their resolve. On the halfway line, Eoin Farrell handed off his opposite man and expertly drew the last defender to release Scott Milne. Scott showed a clean pair of heels to get the third try of the game. Conor Dunne added the extras to take a 1 point lead.

Tullamore capped off the day with a bonus point try in the last 10 minutes of the game. The home side stretched the defence to the far edge. Some quick thinking and handling by Strong and the Dunne's released Sean McCabe, who glided his way over the line from the 22.

This was a brilliant game of rugby, and Tullamore can be very happy with their performance. Conor Dunne, Eoin O’Reilly and Scott Milne had excellent performances. Colm Heffernan got the nod for the man of the match award for his dominant carries and solid defence. The group will travel to Clonmel Saturday week for another crunch game to work their way up the table. 

TULLAMORE: 1. Cathal Behan, 2. Matthew Murphy, 3. Mark Kennedy, 4. Alan Douglas, 5. Ciaran Crowley, 6. Scott Milne, 7. Kon Fennelly, 8. Colm Heffernan, 9. Eoin O’Reilly, 10. Craig Strong, 11. Steven Joyce, 12. Conor Dunne, 13. Eoin Farrell, 14. Craig Cantwell, 15. Karl Dunne (C)