Tullamore RFC 22 :: Sligo RFC 17
Sligo’s journey in the AIB All Ireland Junior Cup came to an end when they were beaten by a strong Tullamore outfit at their home in Spollanstown on Saturday.
On a weekend when almost all outdoor sporting events in the country were cancelled due to the adverse weather, Tullamore’s excellent facilities were unaffected ,and the watching supporters were treated to keenly contested encounter.
Tullamore won the toss and elected to play with aid of the strong breeze in the first half. Sligo were put under pressure early on and conceded two early penalties but the Tullamore kicker Richie Hughes was wide with both efforts. Sligo responded with Jordan Farrington releasing Ted Mulvaney into space but the move broke down at the final pass and the home team were able to clear their lines.
Moments later, Sligo winger Jack Macklin had the visiting fans on their feet when he fielded a high kick at full pace and sprinted towards the home line only to be stopped short by a well timed cover tackle. The opening score came after 22 mins when a loose Sligo clearance kick was ran back at the defence. A ruck was formed on the Sligo 22 before the ball was quickly spun to ex-Buccaners no 8 Adrian Hanley who drew the Sligo cover before releasing winger Keith Scally to finish in the corner. The conversion attempt was missed to leave Sligo with a 5 point deficit.
The home team doubled their advantage on the half hour. A short Sligo 22 drop out was collected by the Tullamore pack. Fast hands saw the ball moved into space where second row Ivor Deverell was waiting and the Tullamore man made no mistake in finishing in the corner. Hughes was again wide with the conversion attempt. Sligo were left with a mountain to climb when Tullamore added their third try just before half time. An attempted Sligo clearance was collected by Tullamore outside the Sligo 22. The defence rushed up to close the space but Tullamore Second Row Donal Milne slipped through a gap and touched down under the posts. Winger Mark Whelan added the extras to put his side 17 points to nil ahead at the break.
Sligo lifted their game at the start of the second half and their good work was rewarded on 50 minutes when they were awarded a penalty outside the Tullamore 22 for an infringement at the breakdown. Jack Macklin stepped up and put the ball between the uprights for his teams first three points.
Tullamore stepped up a gear and again attacked the Sligo line. Under pressure Sligo conceded a scrum 5 yards from their own line. Hanley picked and drove at the Sligo cover before the ball was spun wide. Mark Whelan collected and rounded the cover to score his teams 4 th try. Sligo gallantly fought back and were rewarded for their efforts with a fine score. Macklin and Gavin Foley swapped passes before full back David Gerrity sliced through the cover and crashed over to the right of the posts.Macklins conversion effort drifted wide.
From the restart Sligo immediately attacked. The ball was moved across the line in the Sligo 22 before a huge pass from Jordan Farrington was collected by replacement winger Andrew Feeney. Feeney reached halfway before linking inside with Foley. The centre carried to the Tullamore 22 where his pass to the supporting Farrrington allowed him the chance to show his pace and finish under the posts. Macklins successful conversion proved to be the last act of the game.
Sligo will now turn their attention back to the Connacht Junior League when they entertain Corrib RFC at Hamilton Park next Sunday. Like the north westerners the Headford based outfit have won all of their league games to date and Sligo will need to be at the top of their game to come away with the vital league points. Kick off is at 2.30 pm.
Sligo; David Gerrity, Ted Mulvaney, Jordan Farrington, Gavin Foley, Jack Macklin, Niall O Hara, Billy Leahy, Adrian Mc Hale, Gary Conneely, Jason East, James Wilson, Jamie Bowes, Peter Mullan, Cathal Culhane, Trevor Sweeney. Replacements : Ross Mannion, Martin Feeney, Simon Coulter, Joe Sweeney, Andrew Feeney
Tullamore; Ivan Dunne, Mark Whelan, Ivor Scully, Sean Brady, Keith Scally, David Deering, Richie Hughes, Ronan Glennon, Cathal Feighery, Eddie Brady, Donal Milne, Ivor Deverell, Colin Finnerty,Rob Connor, Adrian Hanley. Replacements: Cian Glennon, Alvin Bracken, Ray Farrell,B rian Geraghty, Andy Melville.
Referee John Coyle IRFU
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