TALLAGHT R.F.C. 38

Tries: Darran Kearney, Ciaran Stewart, Stephen Heaney, Stephen Abbey

Con: Ciaran Stewart 3

Pen: Ciaran Stewart 4

 

PARKMORE R.F.C. 03

 

Spencer Pennant Group B

21/09/13 Tymon Park

 

After last week’s disappointing defeat to Railway Union, Tallaght were determined to hit back today. They started well with the titanic skipper Simon Sweeney showing the way from number eight with a big run which gave out-half Ciaran Stewart the chance to open the scoring with a penalty for Tallaght to take a 3-0 lead. Tallaght played smart rugby and kept pinning Parkmore back with intelligent kicking from Stewart and scrum-half Aodhan Tinney. Every time they visited the Parkmore 22, they score points through the trusty boot of Stewart who scored three more penalties to make the half-time score 12-3 to Tallaght.

 

Despite their lead, Tallaght were frustrated not to have scored a try in the first half. They didn’t have to wait too long in the second half though. From a Parkmore maul, Sweeney ripped the ball away and set off on a run. He offloaded to inside centre Jack Russell, who in turn passed to midfield partner Dave Clarke. Clarke showed excellent judgement in drawing his man and releasing winger Darran Kearney who scampered over for the try. Stewart surprisingly missed the conversion but he made up for it shortly afterwards.

 

Stewart took quick ball generated by a now dominant pack and passed to his inside centre Jack Russell. Stewart looped round on Russell in the style of Jonny Sexton and took the return pass on a beautiful arcing run which saw him slice through the Parkmore defence from a try. He converted his own try and Tallaght effectively had the game won, 24-3 up with twenty minutes to go.

 

Tallaght kept going though and when coach Brian Curtis started using the bench the subs made an impact. Centre James Maher saved a try by intercepting a Parkmore pass close to the line and then he made a powerful run through the middle and offloaded to winger Stephen Heaney who scored a well-deserved try under the posts. Stewart converted and then replacement scrum-half Stephen Abbey pounced on a loose pass in the Parkmore twenty-two and scored the try that secured the bonus point.

 

Stewart converted to make it a personal points tally of 23 points for the Fermanagh man. He wasn’t alone though in putting in an outstanding display. The pocket battleship that is hooker Ollie Murphy made major ground with his carries. The second row partnership of young Alan Moore and …..ahem…..not as young Joe Ivers was industrious and effective. The backrow was the outstanding unit on the day though. Simon Sweeney was simply immense, while openside Aaron Morgan made several powerful runs and the ubiquitous blindside Paul Cunningham was seemingly involved in every Tallaght play, while also ruling the roost at the lineout.

 

To be fair to Parkmore they were missing several players and will come back stronger in the league. Tallaght were excellent though, playing smart rugby and performing the basics of the game very well. Certainly they will have tougher tests in the near future starting with Coolmine in the Metro League next week, but they’ve given themselves a platform now and there is an exciting season ahead. Tallaght still have players to come back too such as Danny Behan, Trevor Byrne, Keith Mason, Sam Lawless and Emil Wyrebiak amongst others. After this performance though, they will know they all need to work very hard to get back into the starting fifteen.

 

Skipper Simon Sweeney was very appreciative of the large turnout in support on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Tymon Park. “It’s a massive boost to us when we’re on the pitch to see our friends, club mates and family on the sideline shouting for us, so a massive thanks to everyone who made the effort to turn up and support us. In playing terms, we were well beaten last week by Railway Union but that didn’t make us a bad side. We won well today, but just the same that doesn’t make us a great side. We’re a work in progress, and there’s still plenty of work to do but all I can ask from the lads is maximum effort and they brought that today in spades and I’m very proud of them tonight.”

 

Tallaght R.F.C.

 

15 Alan Bernes

14 Darran Kearney

13 Dave Clarke

12 Jack Russell

11 Stephen Heaney

10 Ciaran Stewart

9 Aodhan Tinney

 

8 Simon Sweeney (captain)

7 Aaron Morgan

6 Paul Cunningham

5 Alan Moore

4 Joe Ivers

3 Declan Malone

2 Ollie Murphy

1 Tony McManus

 

Replacements

 

Conor Kelly

Dave Kelly

James Maher

Stephen Kelly

John Cowan

 

Jim O’Connor ©