Portlaoise C 2, Tullamore Rovers 1 27/11/05

OWL League Division 5A 27/11/05

Unlucky Rovers Punished In The Final Minute

Portlaoise C 2, Tullamore Rovers 1.

Tullamore Rovers will be bitterly disappointed with this result after they dominated long periods of the game and yet came away with nothing. Tullamore went into this game off the back of a defeat to bottom of the table Clara Town D and were looking to bounce back against table toppers Portlaoise C at Roseleign on Sunday morning. Prior to the match, both sides had observed a minute silence in memory of footballing legend George Best who had inspired legions of footballers across this country. The game kicked off after the fitting tribute and from the start it looked like it would be an open game with both sides intent on securing full points. Portloaise were intent on trying to carve Rovers open with a number of through ball in the opening minutes. Rovers centre backs of Deano Tyrell and Brian Cosgrove were doing well to cope under the high balls being launched at the Tullamore defence but after fifteen minutes it was a through ball that caught Rovers out and the Portloaise striker made no mistake firing past Dave Menton. Menton who had a good game for Tullamore could do little with the well taken effort that gave Portlaosie the initiative. Tullamore had to tighten things up and that they did. Full backs Brendan Kenny and John Healy were doing well to help out the centre backs and as the Tullamore began to come to grips with Portlaoise's high ball tactics the game started to favour Tullamore. There was very little happening in the middle of the park for the first twenty minutes but after the Portlaosie goal Tullamore began to take the ball down and start playing some football in order to create a few more chances. As the half went on Phil Evans and Paul McDonald getting on top winning and retaining possession the middle. Ian Harvey was starting to push forward for Tullamore and they started to gain territorial advantage and force Portlaoise in the concession of a number of corners. Brian Cosgrove tested the keeper with a header from corner as Tullamore began creating the chances and after a good spell of pressure the scores were level. The goal came ten minutes before the break when Phil Evans fired a ball into the box to Derek Dolan who laid off to Mick Kilmartin who fired a great volley into the top corner for a well deserved equaliser for Tullamore. At the break Tullamore manger Lar Byrne introduced Ronan Heffernan for Brendan Kenny as Rovers went all out on the attack to get the three points. During the second half Tullamore Stared to dominate and were playing some good football. Ian Harvey went close with a free kick and Derek Dolan had a shot saved by the Portlaoise keep as Tullamore pushed on. At this stage Tullamore were using all opportunities to get forward but their failure to create any clear cut chances was starting to cause frustration. A quick break on the hour mark from the Laois side ended with a shot across the Tullamore goal and this was their best effort of half. Pat Tyrell on the left wing was now causing all sorts of trouble for the Portlaoise defence with his good running and he was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when upended by the Portlaoise keeper after being straight through on goal. Shane Bracken came on for Derek Dolan and did well on the wing as the game looked destined for a draw. But in a cruel twist in the final minute Portlaosie pounced after a counter attack down the right to score a soft goal after confusion in the Rovers box, the goal condemned the Tullamore team to an undeserved defeat. The final whistle went and Tullamore now have a big task in the coming weeks to pick up points if they are to seriously contend at the top of the table.

Tullamore Rovers: Dave Menton, John Healy, Deano Tyrell, Brian Cosgrove, Brendan Kenny, Ian Harvey, Derek Dolan, Phil Evans, Paul McDonald, Pat Tyrell, Mick Kilmartin. Subs: Ronan Heffernan (Brendan Kenny), Shane Bracken (Derek Dolan), Jimmy O’Brien.

Tullamore Rovers would like to thank their sponors – Joe Lees Pub, Church Street, Tullamore