Match report
Senior 3rds 17 - 15 Tallaght: Club's first cup this season thanks to Ken, Peter, Bernard, Richie & crew. Really tight tense affair. Penalty try to Tallaght at the start left Coolmine chasing this for most of the game. A superbly worked move saw Colin Durkan cross for a try in first half after Tallaght had gone 10 clear after an earlier penalty. Tallaght crossed again with a powerful maul from a lineout from 10m but missed the conversion to put it 15-10. Absolutely no quarter given by either side particularly in the respective packs for most of the second half with Jeremy, Kerr, Rob Mulligan and the two Richies putting in some big hits. Tallaght's scrum half was red carded for kicking his tackler on the ground (Ciaran Costello- who got sin binned for taking a size 10 in the
mush for his troubles)
with 20
Mins to go. After some strong breaks by Coolmine got them into the Tallaght '22, Tallaght gifted them a penalty 5metres out which the Ken Condon locomotive barrelled over the line with. A difficult angle from 5 metres in from touch made it a tough and pressurised task to convert but the ice cool Stephen Hanley made no mistake, splitting the posts with a perfect kick and nudging Coolmine ahead for the first time. Big Ber, who had tormented the close defence of Tallaght all evening made an unbelievable break that would have put the game out of sight but was hauled down just short. But Tallaght fought back and edged into the Coolmine '22 and with little on the clock to the dismay of the Coolmine support and team were given a penalty for what I still can't figure out, five metres from touch on the '22. He missed - but a Coolmine player, who ... ahem... shall remain nameless to spare his blushes decided to rush the penalty taker a là a conversion (not allowed btw). Of course ref said take it again. Queue the longest 30 seconds ever .... he missed again. Woo hoo. Welcome back John Madden.
Way too many standout guys in this squad to mention in the day. All made this happen. Respect to Tallaght for a great game who look like they'll win their league and gain promotion & best of luck.
