Win gives Boyne firm grip of second place
Alvin Bracken takes a lineout for Tullamore during last Saturday's Leinster League clash against Boyne. Credit: Pic: Eric O'Neill
Wednesday February 24 2010
LAST year's Provincial Towns Cup finalists renewed battle in this Leinster League clash at Shamrock Lodge last Saturday – and once again it was Boyne who came out on top.
Shades of that cup decider were evident during this game as the teams concentrated on fast, open rugby.
Boyne needed to win at one of their two remaining games to make sure of the runners-up place that would see them play in the Leinster Senior Cup next season, while Tullamore were also keen to gain full points to keep them in contention for a top-four spot.
The host club stepped up considerably on their performance from their defeat against Cill Dara and they had several early opportunities to breach the visitors' defence. Tullamore held their line valiantly, however, and overcame early surges from Brian Howell and Bevan Duffy.
The home team had to wait until the 21st minute to register a score and it was their prolific kicker, Niall Kerbey, who sent over a long-range penalty to put points on the board.
Tullamore got into the game and gave the home defence some cause for concern, but defence is an area where Boyne have strengthened considerably and throughout this game they held their lines superbly. Coach Craig McGrath, both on and off the field, has done a marvellous job on this facet of Boyne's game.
Tullamore full back Niall Geraghty did have two goal attempts, but was wide of the mark. However, Kerbey made no mistake with his second penalty on 31 minutes when Tullamore were penalised for a ruck infringement – 6-0.
Both sets of backs were eager to run at every opportunity, and with Paddy Muldowney and Ian O'Reilly taking quality ball from the lineout, scrum half McGrath gave his backline plenty of good ball.
With the half coming to a close, it was McGrath who set up the move the led to a superb try for the home side. From a lineout, Boyne brought play inside their opponents' 10metre line. From the resultant maul, McGrath put in a delightful chip for winger Howell who chased and collected. He made ground into the Tullamore '22' and the outstanding Eoin Collins was up in support to take the inside pass to cross for the game's first try. Kerbey tapped over the conversion.
Tullamore finished the half strongly, though, and Geraghty kicked his side's first points after Boyne were caught offside – 13-3 at the break.
In the second half Kerbey restored his team's 13-point lead when he landed another penalty from 40 metres out on the right. And although this was to be Boyne's solitary score for the second half, Tullamore failed to penetrate a resilient Boyne rearguard and had to wait until the 79th minute before they did manage to get the try that they worked so hard for, winger Scully crashing over in the corner despite a brilliant tackle from Brian Collins.
The Offaly men needed another score to get a point from the match. To their credit, they battled to the final whistle and were rewarded for their efforts when they forced an offside 35 metres out from the posts. Geraghty struck the kick through the posts.
