LEINSTER LEAGUE

Sunday March 8th 2020

SHAY MURTAGH PARK

MULLINGAR 42

NEWBRIDGE 28

Mullingar completed their league campaign with a comprehensive win over Newbridge at home on Sunday. Having already secured the League trophy and promotion to Division 1B, on February 2^nd, it was just a matter of finishing up the league on a positive note. This they did with a bonus point win. Mullingar started in a very bright fashion and had the first try on the board within 5 minutes courtesy of Lemeki Viapulu, duly converted by Mitch Miller. A second try came in the next 3 minutes, this time scored by Darach Geraghty, again converted by Mitch. Mullingar had a strong wind behind them in the first half and Newbridge were kept on the defensive in this period. Mullingar`s dominance was so strong in the first period that they had the 4 try bonus wrapped up by the 16<sup>th</sup> minute. Mullingar`s 3 try was scored by Daryl Quinn and the fourth by Mitch Miller. Mitch converted both to leave the score after 16 minutes at 28-0 to the home side. At this stage Newbridge were stung into upping their game fearing a real drubbing the way things had gone in the first quarter. Before half time Newbridge had got on the scoreboard and had 2 tries of their own, which were duly converted to put the score at 28-14. However not to be outdone Mullingar came back with a try by David Lynam again converted by Mitch and the score at half was 35-14.

The half time came with a few showers of hailstones and a scattering of fans for a hot cup of coffee in the clubhouse. With a number of changes in the team and an eye on next week`s trip to Gorey for the second round of the Cup, Mullingar seemed to take their foot off the pedal for a while and allowed Newbridge more of a foothold on the game. Newbridge used the conditions well in the second half, with the wind at their backs and some good kicking; they kept Mullingar pinned in their own half of the pitch for long periods. Mullingar`s defence was pretty resolute during this period but Newbridge still managed to get in for 2 second half tries and a 4 point bonus for themselves. Mullingar also got in for a try of their own, with Alan Brabazon getting in for our 6^th and final try. The score finished at 42-28. While it was a fairly comprehensive win, all eyes are now on the second round of the Provincial Towns Cup game next Sunday away to the 2^nd placed team in Division 1A Gorey. While Gorey will be overwhelming favourites for this game, Mullingar have nothing to lose in a very successful season so far. So well done to all of our coaches, players for a very successful league campaign and the very best of luck next Sunday in the Cup. 

TEAM: 1 Darren Brady (Captain), 2 Brian Reidy, 3 Chris Fox, 4 Luke Finegan, 5 Daryl Quinn, 6 Darach Geraghty, 7 David Faulkner, 8 Lemeki Viapulu, 9 Thomas Campbell, 10 Mitch Miller, 11 David Lynam, 12 Donal McGovern, 13 Alan Brabazon, 14 Petar Mitic, 15 Aaron Glennon, 16 Kevin Smith, 17 Johnathon Moran, 18 Alan Naughton, 19 Paul Maxwell, 20 Cian Cleary.

LEINSTER SECONDS LEAGUE

Sunday March 8th 2020

SHAY MURTAGH PARK

MULLINGAR 34

NEWBRIDGE 32

Mullingar seconds team finished on a positive note also, wrapping up a nail bitting game against the 2^nd placed team in the league to secure 3^rd place in the league. This was a truly ebb and flow game fought hard to the bitter end. Newbridge got off to a good start with a try after 5 minutes from their full back, who proved to be a sterling player for the away side. A second try followed shortly for Newbridge and they were 12-0 up after 15 minutes. However Mullingar rallied and after a great break and offload by debutant Adam Treanor to Darragh Lambe who duly scored under the posts to now leave the score at 12-7 in favour of the visitors. Mullingar were now getting into the game and some good drives by the forwards particularly, Danny Gilleran, Alan Naughton, Darragh Lambe and Kevin Smith kept Mullingar in the game. Newbridge went further ahead with another try to go 19-7 ahead. After good work by our backline Jordan Williams got Mullingar`s second try to reduce the margin to 19-12. It was great to see Ben Glennon back on the rugby field after a log spell out injured and he hasn’t lost any of his skill or drive in his absence, as he put in a good load of work on his return. Completing the forward today were Cillian Kavanagh and Martin Egan, both of whom put in an amount of work carring and tackling.  While Newbridge kept the lead and Mullingar got 2 further tries by Alan Naughton and Stephen Derham, it was not until after 70 minutes when Mullingar got into the lead after a try by Killian McNay, who broke through several tackles to put the home side into a slender lead. Mullingar`s scrumhalf Adam Treanor, was very lively and made a very good impression on his debut. Max Brennan at outhalf had a solid game and hopefully will get a good partnership going with Adam. Our centres of David Devine and Cian Burke put in a lot of work throughout the game and created chances for both wingers Ross Tormey and Jordan Williams. Full back Stephen Derham put in his usual dependable performance both in defence and attack and also chipped in with a try. All of the subs, Lousi Prati, Paul Murtagh, Craig Swanson and Aidan Wright came on and made a contribution to the winning performance.

After Mullingar got into the lead late in the game Newbridge hit back and retook the lead 32-29 with about 3 minutes left. However not to be outdone our forwards went on a number of drives and were camped on the Newbridge 5m line. After a number of drives the ball went across the backline and Jordan Williams got in for his second and Mullingar`s winning try at 34-32.

A great gutsy performance from Mullingar and they are out next Saturday at home against Edenderry in the Seconds Cup, with a 3.00 Kick Off

TEAM: 1 Daniel Gilleran, 2 Kevin Smith, 3 Ben Glennon, 4 Alan Naughton, 5 Killian McNay, 6 Martin Egan, 7 Cillian Kavanagh, 8 Darragh Lambe (Captain),

9 Adam Treanor, 10 Ryan Brennan, 11 Ross Tormey, 12 Cian Burke, 13 David Devine, 14 Jordan Williams, 15, Stephen Derham, 16 Louis Prati, 17 Paul Murtagh, 19 Craig Swanson, 20 Aidan Wright