01 Nov 2014
Thanks to Sile Geraghty for the Photos
A.I.L Div 2B Tullamore 33 Richmond 6
This was a teak tough, hard fought encounter as Tullamore got their League hopes back on track in Spollanstown last Saturday. The final score may give the impression that this was an easy win but it was a serious battle for 60 minutes. In the end Tullamore will be delighted with a bonus point win which leaves them just 2 points behind the league leaders. In wet conditions before a large and enthusiastic home crowd the visitors from Limerick with their huge pack gave the home side plenty of problems. Indeed Richmond were let down badly by indiscipline in the second half when 2 of their pack were sinbinned for constant mouthing to the referee and touchjudge. The Tullamore pack really fronted up when the hard questions were asked while the backs looked very dangerous all day but suffered from a lack of quality ball. Some clever substitutions by Tullamore helped to quell the visitors with the full panel playing their part.Tullamore were backed by the wind and rain in the first half and dominated for the first 20 minutes. After some strong attacking the backs showed terrific handling to put flying winger Jordan Conroy in the clear 40 metres out and he scorched home in the 9th minute. Aaron Deverell converted for a 7-0 lead. Things got better 6 minutes later when after a series of mauls in the opposition 22 some slick handling by the forwards put Leon Martin in for a great try. Aaron Deverell converted from the touchline with a smashing kick and Tullamore led 14-0. Richmond started to have some success up front and a penalty from 20 metres left it 14-3 at the break. The visitors, backed by the wind dominated the first 15 minutes of the second half . Their scrum was causing Tullamore problems and they forced a couple of penalties kicking 1 in the 54th minute to reduce the score to 14-6.Tullamore made changes to their front row and with Richmond losing their discipline Tullamore got well on top again. The score of the game came in the 57th minute.Terrific running and passing by Michael Brazil and Brian Geraghty sent Jordan Conroy streaking away for a cracking try in the corner and a 19-6 lead. The last 20 minutes saw Tullamore at their brilliant best.With their pack now controlling everything against a tiring opposition the vital 4th try came in the 68th minute. The pack mauled from 10 metres out for a team try credited to John Hayes. Aaron again converted for a 26-6 lead. Tullamore kept on the pressure and scored their 5th try in the 80th minute.From a maul on the 22 Aaron Deverell gave a long cut out pass to Brian Geraghty and the full back cruised in under the sticks. Aaron Deverell added the extras and the final whistle gave the home side a 33-6 victory. The Tullamore pack answered a lot of hard questions in the game. Gavin Kelly was outstanding, well supported by Leon Martin, Eamonn Bracken and John Hayes while out wide Aaron Deverell, Michael Brazil and Jordan Conroy were outstanding. It would be fair to add that this was a win fashioned by the full panel. After the game the Man of the match award kindly sponsored by Paul Galvin of Galvin for Men was presented to Gavin Kelly. Next Saturday Tullamore are away to another Limerick side Old Crescent.
Panel
Brian Geraghty, Tom Gilligan, Michael Brazil, Ivor Scully, Jordan Conroy, Aaron Deverell, Richie Hughes, Darragh Lowry, Kevin Browne, Ger Molloy, Ivor Deverell, Leon Martin, Gavin Kelly, Rob Connor, John Hayes, Cathal Feighery, Eamonn Bracken, Barry Stewart, John Moloney, Andrew Hyde.
