UBL 11th February 2017
Scorers: Andrew(1*Try), McCusker(1*Try), McMurray(1*Try), Donaghy(1*Try), Martin(1*Pen, 1*Conv)
Match of the Day in Division 2C of the Ulster Bank League was undoubtedly the meeting of Rainey Old Boys and Tullamore under the lights at Hatrick Park. And this cracklng contest lived up to its billing. On a bltterly cold evening,the crowd was taken on an emotional roller-coaster which helped them brave the elements. The Co.Offaly side needed the points to overtake Rainey who knew that they faced dangerous opposition. As play moved into time added on, Tullamore held a two point lead, but Rainey grabbed a dramatic try to claim a vital victory on a 25-22 scoreline. On the balance of play, Rainey deserved to win, having led 17-7 at the break after facing the wind.
Rainey started well, moving the ball about with confidence and retaining possession until a fly hack took Tullamore downfield. They went 7-0 up after 8 minutes, but had a player yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on as Rainey strove to get back into it. Full-back Quinn and centre McMurray raised their hopes with strong bursts, but their tendency to concede penalties in good field positions continues to hold them back. And their failure to win key lineouts was a major irritation. But things began to go right for them in the second quarter. Going round the short side deep in the visitors' 22', centre Andrew put through a little grubber kick and had the pace to get the touchdown. They were soon back in Tullamore territory, but out-half Martin was off-target with a penalty.
Rainey then enjoyed a purple patch just before half-time. Flanker Michael McCusker was prominent as the pack set the opposition back down the right and when the ball was moved back across the field, prop Donaghy held Wilson's pass to send McCusker in for a great try which Martin converted. Five minutes later, the mood of the home support improved considerably. Andrew took them forward and when Lees and Barker added impetus to the surge, Jody McMurray got the touchdown to leave his side 17-7 ahead at the interval.
With the wind now behind them, Rainey were well set, but they conceded a penalty straight from the kick-off, leaving Tullamore to go to the corner and work their way over. The game was on again. Barker and Lees were again to the fore as Rainey drove into the Tullamore 22', but it took a great touchline tackle to prevent a sensational breakaway try.
When a clearance kick failed to find touch, Tullamore launched a counter which ended with a shattering tackle just inside the 22' from captain Jonathan Lees. Unfortunately, the referee deemed this superb effort to be a tip tackle and sin-binned the tackler. The penalty brought the sides closer. Rainey then had Tullamore back on their line for a little spell until Wilson was called upon to get back to deal with a kick ahead. After 62 minutes, Tullamore regained the lead. A clear overlap went unused when Jody McMurray elected for a high kick ahead, allowing Tullamore to counter and when they drove up to the Rainey 22', their out-half spotted his right-winger in acres of space and found him with a pinpoint kick which gave him the simple task of making it 22-20 to Tullamore.
A controversial lncident then followed.Rainey were awarded a very kickable penalty inside the Tullamore 22'. The majority of the spectators would have favoured bringing ace place kicker Scott McLean on from the bench to have a kick at goal. But they decided to go for a bonus point try instead, went to the corner and made a mess of it. The spectators were distraught, but when McLean then hooked wide from a more difficult position, they were soon to be over the moon. With normal time just about up, Martin gained possession on halfway with nothing really on. But he went right and broke through some thirty yards before being collared. His offload was picked up close to the touchline by No8 Corrigan who found Andrew Donaghy on his inside and from the 22' there was nothing to stop the winger. Hatrick Park erupted.
The three minutes of time added on produced nothing of note,so that Rainey travel to Co.Meath this week still one point behind their hosts.Unlucky hooker George Fritz will be out of action for some time,but Rainey hope that prop Tommy O'Hagan will be fit and available to join the squad.
TEAM : O.Quinn,A.Donaghy,J.McMurray,R.Andrew,D.McMurray,G.Martin,M.Wilson,A.McSwiggan,K.Donaghy,F.Quinn,T.Barker,R.Mc Cusker,B.Mullan,D.Corrigan,M.Mc Cusker.
REPLACEMENTS : S.McLean,J.Lees,A.Harbinson.