20 Sep 2014
A.I.L Div 2B Tullamore 29 De La Salle Palmerstown 22
The first League game of the season was an absolutely cracking one as Tullamore just held on against D.L.S.P in Spollanstown last Saturday. The game featured 8 tries as Tullamore finished with a bonus point. Short of a few regulars the young players of Tullamore really stood up when the serious questions were asked in the second half. Brilliant handling, loads of thrills and a nerve wracking finish gave the spectators loads to shout about. Tullamore had their noses in front barely when a topsy turvy game ended. The home side started with a bang when after 5 minutes of pressure John Hayes scored a try after a great run by Jordan Conroy. In the 15th minute Leon Martin got in for the second try when he broke a tackle on the 22 for a 10-0 lead. D.L.S.P roared back into the game with a penalty in the 27th minute and a try by their outhalf which was converted for 10-10. Tullamore dominated until half time and scored a good try by Michael Brazil in the 34th minute. Aaron Deverell converted for a 17-10 lead at the break. If Tullamore thought it was going to be easy they got a shock when the visitors out half waltzed through a few weak tackles for a simple try in the first minute of the second half. The conversion tied it up again at 17-17. Back came Tullamore and after great driving by the pack Eamonn Bracken crashed over in the 48th minute for 22-17. Two minutes later D.L.S.P were in again when a Tullamore clearance was blocked down and the simple try.tied it up again at 22-22. We then had 20 scoreless minutes as the game ebbed and flowed with both sides having scoring opportunities. With a distinct edge in the scrums Tullamore looked the more likely to nab a winner and so it proved. In the 70th minute after great driving by the pack the ball was spread wide for flying winger Jordan Conroy to cross in the corner. Aaron Deverell kicked a great conversion to give the home side a 29-22 lead and there it stayed till the end. This was a wonderful free flowing game which had everything. The bonus point gained will give Tullamore huge confidence for the tough tests ahead. In the pack Eamonn Bracken had an absolute stormer, ably supported by Gavin Kelly, Leon Martin and Barry Stewart. In the backs there were good performances from Michael Brazil, Jordan Conroy and Andrew Hyde. Next Saturday Tullamore travel to Cork to face Sundays Well.
Panel
Darragh Lowry, Gavin Kelly, Ger Molloy, Eamonn Bracken, Leon Martin, Mark Kennedy, John Hayes, Barry Stewart, Andrew Hyde, Richie Hughes, Jordan Conroy, Ivor Scully, Aaron Deverell, Darragh Coughlan, Michael Brazil, John Moloney, Odhran McIntyre, Eddie Brady, PJ Jordan, Kevin Browne
