Three drop goals tilt title Tullamore's way as Monivea battle to the finish

RUGBY JUNIOR CUP FINAL: Tullamore 9 Monivea 3:THE INTEGRITY of the endeavour compensated for any shortcomings in terms of skills in a contest that was never less than compelling because the outcome of the Ulster Bank All-Ireland Junior Cup Final was in doubt right up to the final whistle.

Tullamore would contend that it shouldn’t have been given several clear-cut opportunities that they squandered in the first half, when a tad more composure and the vision to see space rather than trying to sunder a doughty wall of Monivea bodies would have guaranteed a less fraught endgame for the Leinster club.

There was an elemental nature to the fare, where amateur status in no way compromises the ferocity of the collisions.

That’s not to chastise the quality of the fare but even when that dipped at times the desire, work rate and honesty was beyond reproach.

It wasn’t all blue-collar grunt as several passages of play had the subtlety, clever variations and off-loading dexterity that should have pleased the most demanding taskmaster.

The conditions also challenged the two teams, in icy, biting wind swirling around Dubarry Park. Fortunately the pre-match hail gave way to crystal blue clear skies but every break in play reinforced the chill in the air.

In matches of this ilk rolling replacements are permitted, up to a maximum of 12 for each team, so there is the slightly incongruous sight of a player disappearing and reappearing several times during the contest.

The nature of Tullamore’s victory will command a place in the history books, three drop-goals, from the boot of three different players in left wing Colin Draper, outhalf and captain Aaron Deverell and centre David Clavin. Monivea’s reply was more mundane, a penalty from outhalf Ger O’Connor.

The IRFU screened the game live on their website and the initial feedback was that over 500 people had logged on to watch the match, mostly based in Ireland but several other countries were represented including Australia, the US, Norway, Switzerland, Slovenia, Italy and Oman.

It was the second consecutive year that Monivea came up agonisingly short, having lost to Crosshaven in 2011.

The Galway club must console themselves with the manner in which they refused to buckle in a contest where they looked to be outplayed at times.

Tullamore scrumhalf Richie Hughes offered a largely slick service, David Clavin, at one time a decent schools player with Clongowes, caught the eye in the centre while Brian Geraghty at fullback – he previously played in the secondrow in a couple of Towns Cup campaigns – probably edged the man-of-the-match honour. Aaron Deverell was a composed and classy presence.

The Leinster club should have been comfortably ahead at the break but with the pack consumed by white-line fever when there was acres of space for the backs, one chance after another slipped through their fingers.

Draper dropped a fine goal one minute after the restart for the game’s opening score and when Aaron Deverell and Clavin repeated the feat, all from roughly the same distance of 25 metres, victory seemed assured.

Monivea though wouldn’t lie down and O’Connor’s penalty – he had missed an earlier one – offered a tantalising hope of stealing an unlikely victory.

Tullamore captain Deverell admitted: “I suppose three drop goals, from three different players, is an unusual thing in a game. It’s huge for the club, means a massive amount given the All-Ireland nature of the tournament. It’s a great competition because you get to play against teams from all over the country that you wouldn’t normally get to take on.

“We won it back in 2009 and it was a huge deal then and it’s just as big for us now.”

SCORING SEQUENCE:Half-time: 0-0. 41 mins: Draper drop goal, 3-0; 47 mins: A Deverell drop goal, 6-0; 51 mins: Clavin drop goal, 9-0; 74 mins: O'Connor penalty, 9-3.

TULLAMORE:B Geraghty; R Deverell, D Clavin, T Gilligan, C Draper; A Deverell (capt), R Hughes; T Bennett, C Glennon, E Brady; D Hanlon, I Deverell; J Clancy, D Milne, A Hanley. Replacements: K Browne for Clancy (31-36 mins); P McNiff for Hanlon (48 mins); G Molloy for Bennett (59 mins); C Hughes for Draper (61 mins); K Browne for Glennon (66 mins); Bennett for Brady (66 mins); I Scully for Gilligan (70 mins); Brady for Clancy (76 mins).

MONIVEA:S Fahy; C Maher, C Neary, K Higgins, G Divilly; G O'Connor, D Blade (capt); G Fitzmaurice, B Ryan, R Coughlan; W Parker, P Fitzmaurice; M King, K Concarr, E Rooney. Replacements: J Culkin for G Divilly (28 mins); B Murphy for Parker half-time; D McNeillis for King (45 mins); G Divilly for Neary (52 mins); C Divilly for G Fitzmaurice (54-59 mins); J Connolly for Ryan 64 mins; King for Concarr (64 mins); E Blade for D Blade (79 mins); C Divilly for G Fitzmaurice (80 mins).

Referee:S Gaffikin