Tullamore J3s secure Towns Cup semi-final with narrow win over gritty Athy

An Athy coach was heard describing Tullamore “The Harlem Globtrotters of J3 Rugby” on Sunday afternoon, after the Junior 3s made it 4 league Titles in 4 years last Saturday. There was certainly no “alley-hoops” or slam dunks from the Spollanstown men in the opening exchanges, and it was in fact their Kildare counterparts that looked the more polished outfit.

Tullamore: 12
Athy: 0

The weather could be best described as unassured on Sunday afternoon. The small crowd, packed neatly into the stand, saw sunshine, hail, rain and a gale force breeze at different intervals. Tullamore had the benefit of the breeze playing up the pitch in the 1st half.

It was Athy who would set the tone early on, with their young dynamic pack causing problems for Tulliers. The game was 20 minutes old before the scoreboard was troubled. A neat lineout take from John Connolly who fed the ball to Ronan Hooper and then Rory Lynch who powered through the defence to crash under the posts. A score slightly against the run of play but well taken none the less. 7.0 now the score with Niall McCabe adding a routine conversion.

The half was “tit for tat” after this. Athy had more possession but their limited attack was constantly driven back with interest by the Tullamore pack. Back row trio of David Dunican, John McQuaid and Jake Kenny to the fore.

McCabe missed a penalty just before half time leaving the score 7.0 at half time.

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Tullamore took control of the game in the 2nd half and regularly looked the better side. Half backs Hooper and Lynch pinned Athy back with some clever kicking. It was a kick and chase from Hopper that forced the second try from Tullamore. The leaving cert student kicked ahead, and tackled the opposition winger who had tracked back. The winger lost control of the ball which popped up favourably for John Connolly who had the simple job of gathering the ball and dotting it down. 12.0 to Tullamore.

This would be the final score in a game that failed to ignite like we are used to seeing in Cup Rugby. Tullamore were full value for the win and but for a late flurry from Athy, they never really troubled the Tullamore try line.

Up front, the Back row of Dunican, McQuaid and Kenny were exceptional. Connolly and Odhran Hickey ran an excellent linout in tricky conditions, while props Rabbitte and Hensey were workman like.

Young Halfbacks Hopper and Lynch had excellent games, while McCabe managed the backfield very well, sending kicks back with interest regularly.

Fionán Redmond, John Tobin, James Roe and Eoin Dixon added huge value off the bench.

Old warrior and skipper on the day Cathal Feighery is this writers man of the match (Just ahead of Hooper & McQuade). The club stalwart led from the front all day in both defence and attack. When this young team needed direction there was no one better at giving it.

Tullamore travel to Boyne next Sunday for a 3pm kick off in the semi final of this competition.

Team: Jimmy Rabbitte, Cathal Feighery (C), Ben Hensey, Odhran Hickey, John Connolly, Jake Kenny, John McQuaid, David Dunican, Ronan Hooper, Rory Lynch, Eoghan OConnor, Tom Gilligan, Jarlath Glynn, Mark McGrath, Niall McCabe, James Roe, Darren Brady, Fionán Redmond, Adam Hughes, Eoin Dixon, John Tobin & Colin Draper.