Josh plays his part
Flanker prominent in Leinster’s win
ENNISCORTHY’S JOSH Murphy contributed handsomely to Leinster’s return to winning ways in their comprehensive 40-7 victory over Ulster in their Guinnes Pro Rugby league game played at the RDS on Saturday.
Murphy, who is competing in a high-profile back row, was included in the team from the start but, despite their experimental look, the side still contained numerous international players, with the former Enniscorthy player handed the number six jersey.
The flanker was prominent from the start with some big drives to his credit, while his tackle count was incredible as the new-look back row took control.
It was an important victory, particularly with the visit of Toulouse this weekend for a crucial European Cup game at the sold-out RDS.
Former Gorey player Paul Boyle, in his first season as a professional, continues to make waves out west, starting for Connacht who, despite their 31-24 defeat to Munster, continued their impressive form of recent games.
Boyle, who saw much of the action, will be well pleased with his performance against such quality opposition.
The last weekend of 2018 had been a mixed one for Wexford players in the Guinness Pro Rugby League.
In a tempestuous game, Leinster lost their discipline during the first-half before going down to a 26-17 defeat to Munster.
The losers played some 55 minutes with 14 players, after James Lowe was red-carded for a dangerous tackle.
At one stage of the first-half they were down to 13 players, as the front row pair of Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong were yellow-carded following separate high tackle incidents.
The decisions of referee Frank Murphy – a former Munster player – couldn’t be disputed but, despite their numerical disadvantage, Leinster put in a tremendous second-half performance.
However, it proved too much in the end, as Munster inflicted what was only a third defeat on Leinster this season.
During his spells on the pitch, Furlong displayed a huge workload, while he was also prominent in the scrums, with his first lay-off of a swift pass one of the highlights of the half.
The game suffered as a result of the card incidents, and while it was physical with some hectic exchanges, one did not witness the free-flowing rugby one would expect from these two sides.
On the previous Friday evening, Connacht’s Paul Boyle continued his progress in professional rugby, coming on as a second-half replacement in his side’s emphatic 21-12 victory over Ulster.
Boyle had some huge carries during his second-half cameo, while his tackle count was also high.
GOREY BECTIVE RANGERS
THE GOREY J2s started the new year with a share of the spoils against a very game Bective Rangers when they welcomed the Dubliners to Clonattin on Saturday.
Gorey started well and on 15 minutes, after some excellent work by the pack, Jordan Ahern went over to open the scoring, with Cian Hadden adding the conversion.
Their lead was shortlived though, with the visitors’ response seeing Jeff Mahon round off a flowing move to go over for a try.
In the 30th minute Bective took the lead with a penalty after an infringement at a ruck.
For the remainder of the half Gorey upped their game and, after Niall Cousins crossed for their second try with Hadden just wide with the conversion attempt, 12-10 was the score at the break.
The second-half saw the visitors start the brighter and it was not long until they restored their lead when they crossed for their second try.
A Gorey penalty saw them tie the teams at 15-15 midway through. Bective responded with a well-worked try to take their score to 22-15.
But the home team responded well and a number of phases later brought the teams level again when Lloyd Stephens crossed for another Gorey try, and Cian Hadden converted.
That was the way it ended, with a draw probably the fairest result as both sides had tried hard in a very entertaining game.
Gorey: W. Rothwell, E. Walsh, J. Mulligan, L. Kinsella, L. Stephens, N. Cousins, D. Saywer, J. Ahern, A. O’Brien, C. Hadden, H. Kennedy, E. Buckley, D. O’Neill, J. Willoughby, S. Tomkins, G. Bater, B. Doyle, K. Rothwell, S. Carty, C. Butler, W. O Morchoe.