Tullamore Rovers 2, Portlaoise C 1 30/10/05

OWL League Division 5A 30/10/05

Rovers Halt Table Toppers

Tullamore Rovers 2, Portlaoise C 1.

Tullamore Rovers put in another fantastic display at Fentor Park on Sunday to end Portlaoises 100% record in the division. This was a third win on the trot for the Tullamore side who had begun the league slow but are now mounting a serious challenge for promotion.The game was tough and Tullamore had to dig deep to grind out the win with a very committed performance. Tullamore made a few forced changes from the great result against Noreside the week previous but the outcome was equally impressive considering Portlaoises great start to the league. Tullamoe took the lead on 12 minutes when David Sweeney smashed a great shot home from 25 yards to give Tullamore a deserved lead. Tullamore were doing well all over the park throughout the first half with Phil Evans and Paul McDonald putting in strong tackles in the middle and wingers Derek Dolan and Tom O’Gorman using very opportunity the get forward and pressurise the Portlaoise defence. On 20 minutes Tullamore doubled their advantage with another good finish from leading scorer Mick Kilmartin. This time it was a though ball that caused the problems and the striker used his pace to finish neatly under the oncoming keeper from 10 yards.Tullamore were holding out well in the backs with good performances from both centre backs Ian Harvey and Deano Tyrell. Jimmy O’Brien did well at right full and Ronan Heffernan coped well at left full as Portlaoise tried to claw their way back into the game. Manager Lar Byrne with the help of Clive Evans had Tullamore well organised and Portlaoise never really looked like getting into the game throughout the first half.The second half was a dogged affair with Tullamore forced to play into a strong wind. Portlaoise were tying to use this to their advantage but keeper Dave Menton had the defence well marshalled. Tullamore nearly added to their advantage twice in the second half but it was Portlaoise who got the goal to give them some hope of a come back. Pat Tyrell came on for Derek Dolan and did well with some good running on the wing. Tullamore dug in for the remainder of the game and with the help of a great save by Dave Menton from a free kick on the edge of the box, Tullamore went on to wrap up the three points and close the gap at the top of the league. Man of the match goes to Tom O’Gorman for some great play throughout the game on the left wing. This win now brings Tullamore Rovers into the reckoning for promotion and they’ll be looking to build on their recent good form in the weeks to come.Tullamore Rovers would like to thank Joe Lees Bar, Church Street, Tullamore. The team would also like to congratulate Brendan Kenny and Alison Dillon on the birth of a baby boy over the weekend.

Tullamore Rovers: 1. Dave Menton 2. Jimmy O Brien 3. Ronan Heffernan 4. Ian Harvey (C) 5. Deano Tyrell 6. Derek Dolan 7. Tom O’Gorman 8. Phil Evans 9. David Sweeney 10. Paul McDonald 11. Mick Kilmartin Subs: 12. Pat Tyrell (for Derek Dolan). 13. Sean Morris 14. Diarmuid Walsh 15. John Stone