Arklow pipped at post
Tullamore edge it in extra-time to thwart brave effort
ARKLOW played exceptionally well in this game against a second string Tullamore side that went to extra time.
Tullamore would be presumed to be a more senior team than Arklow with their first side playing in the AIL. A much higher league than Arklow.
From the kick off the home side tore into the fray and upset their visitors with the intensity of their efforts.
Arklow were never intimidated by their illustrious opponents and attacked from the off.
With a good mix of attack and defence Arklow played with energy and aggression. After 15 minutes the home team was ahead by three points to nil.
As this match continued both sides were at full stretch in attack and defence and Tullamore kicked a penalty to keep both sides together on the scoreboard.
Arklow were really playing extremely well against their visitors and challenged for every ball and space.
After thirty minutes both sides were equal with three points each which to be fair was really flattering the visitors.
Arklow challenged for every scrap of possession and never allowed their visitors to rest.
At the half way stage both sides were three points apiece but Arklow were the more dominant side. All to play for in part two.
Within ten minutes of the restart Tullamore scored a try out wide which was not converted after some good running and recycling ball by Tullamore backline.
The score was now Tullamore eight points to Arklow three. Then followed a top class try by the Arklow number eight after a great break from the scrum and then a precise grubber.
The Arklow eight who was following up his own grubber was first to the touchdown.
A great try by the Arklow pack and a great finish by their number eight. The conversion was missed but now we had a game on our hands with Arklow dominant in most phases of play.
This match ebbed and flowed in one direction then other until the end of normal time with both sides were balanced at eight points apiece.
Then followed two periods of ten minutes and the secret to winning this game was to score first and then hang on for the time to elapse.
Arklow were no less than brilliant in the first period and Shane McAllister scored a great try out wide and the cherry on the cake was the conversion was good after a great kick by Michael O Scannail.
Now Arklow were ahead by a nose and all that was needed was keep applying pressure and keep their opposition in their own half of the field. Arklow fifteen points to visitor’s eight points and Arklow continued with this score until the end of the first half of extra time.
Now game management came into play and Arklow were keeping their opponents in the right areas until three minutes from the end.
A series of penalties conceded by Arklow resulted in a try from Tullamore who chose to run this penalty and finished under the Arklow posts. The conversion couldn’t have been more straight forward from centre of the posts but was miraculously missed. Arklow fifteen points to Tullamore thirteen points.
So Arklow were still in the lead by two points and again game management dictated the ball be kept in the Tullamore half but another penalty against Arklow saw a repeat of the previous penalty and Tullamore ran the pitch and scored in the corner a further five points now the score was eighteen points Tullamore to home side’s fifteen.
This was the last play of this great game by Arklow against a dubious junior two side from the midlands.
This was the best game Arklow played all season and must continue to the end of the League.
Arklow need have no regrets about the result of this game they played brilliantly to a man, everything that Arklow could do was done in this game.
All the Arklow players can stand proud with this performance they brought it to the wire and but for a little bit of luck could have claimed a good scalp.
No Arklow player need feel bad about the result as all played to the max.
There are two Leinster League games left to Arklow.
Next Sunday Arklow are away to Midland Warriors a must win game for Arklow but if they perform the same as at the weekend we can’t ask for any more.
Well played Arklow, this team has done Arklow RFC and town proud.
Two more games with this level of commitment will surely keep them in the hunt for promotion.
Arklow RFC panel from: (1) Ben Byrne Diaper, (2) Charlie Louth (C, (3) Anthony O’Donnell, (4) Mick Donoghue, (5) Joe Bulmer, (6) John Furlong, (7) Colly Doyle, (8) Richard Murphy, (9) Dave Mulrooney, (10) Michael O Scannail, (11) Shane McAllister, (12) Ben Kavanagh, (13) Tommy New, (14) Paddy Phelan, (15) Shane Nalty, (16) Eoin O Scannail, (17) John Louth, (18) Jack Joyce, (19) Gavin Byrne, (20) Dean McCormack.