Adam Nolan

Adam Nolan in action against Greystones

 

Tallaght R.F.C. 08

Tries: Adam Nolan
Pen: Morgan Farrell

Old Wesley R.F.C. 23

Winters Cup Quarter-final
Tymon Park
02/04/16

 

Playing in the quarter-finals of the Winters Cup for the first time ever, Tallaght faced a tough opponent in Old Wesley, the top side in the Division above Tallaght’s. Wesley’s young, fit team took off at a fierce pace and scored the first try within two minutes after a fine break from their lively scum-half. They converted to lead 7-0 and things looked ominous for Tallaght but they showed great resolve to steady the ship.

 

Simon Collie was excellent at full back, producing a number of brilliant try-saving tackles. He also counter-attacked when he could with one particularly good run beating several defenders before offloading to Alan Bernes. Bernes was tackled and the chance went begging but Tallaght kept coming at Wesley through the strong running of Adam Nolan, Aaron Morgan and Paul Cunningham. Eventually the pressure told and Tallaght were awarded a penalty which Morgan Farrell converted to make it 7-3. Wesley finished the half the stronger though and after constant pressure Tallaght had Stephen Heaney yellow carded for handling at the ruck. Wesley kicked the resulting penalty to lead 10-3 at half-time.

 

Playing the first ten minutes of the second half with fourteen men was always going to be tough and Wesley eventually took advantage when their pacy full back outflanked the Tallaght defence to score in the corner. They missed the conversion but soon added on another penalty to lead 18-3. Tallaght didn’t give up though and hit back with their best moment of the match. Number eight Adam Nolan took the ball just inside his own half and took off on an unstoppable run bumping off several defenders on his way to score a terrific individual try. The conversion was missed but now Tallaght were withing touching distance at 18-8.

 

Wesley showed their class though to finish the game off with the final try of the game to dispel any hopes of a Tallaght comeback. The final score was 23-8 to Wesley and the Division 6 leaders were deserved winners. However Tallaght showed great heart and character to stay with them as long as they did in a fine cup-tie.

 

Man of the match: Adam Nolan

 

Tallaght RFC

15. Simon Collie
14. Karl Seagrave
13. Stephen Heaney
12. Dave Clarke
11. Alan Bernes
10. Morgan Farrell
9. Willie Lambe

8. Adam Nolan
7. Aaron Morgan
6. Kevin Quinn
5. Paul Cunningham (c)
4. Sean Judd
3. Tony McManus
2. Stephen Kelly
1. Dave Kelly

Replacements

16. Gavin McKeon
17. Emil Wyrebiak
18. Aodhan Tinney
19. Brian Tyrrell
20. Ken McGovern
21. Ciaran Rudd
22. Andrew Rudd

 
Report: Jim O’Connor