PROVINCIAL TOWNS CUP FINAL/Navan 30 Tullow 13:RUGBY IS alive and well in the midlands. Especially in Meath. While this was a one-sided game, dictated by the quality of Navan's Kiwi triumvirate in the eight, nine, 10 axis, the intensity of both sides coupled with a local GAA derby atmosphere made for a decent afternoon's rugby viewing.
Navan were on another plane in the quality stakes and duly added the Towns Cup to last week's AIB Junior Cup. Halfback pairing Kieran Mattson and Ryan Roberts took a firm grip on the contest in the opening minutes and had engineered three tries by the half-hour mark to kill off any chance of a surprise.
That Tullow kept coming and were rewarded with two tries in the second half, after spending most of the game camped in their own 22, was a testament to their resilience. It was also fitting reward for the 1,000-odd vocal supporters who lined the grassy embankment.
Their forwards coach is 21-year-old Seán O'Brien, a local lad and recently promoted to a full contract by Leinster coach Michael Cheika.
O'Brien had them well drilled and the lineout was competent. It was the natural difference in physicality between a Division One and Two club that stood out.
"They came out of the traps quicker than we did and got some good scores," said O'Brien afterwards. "The game was effectively over after 25 minutes.
"They are playing Division One rugby all the time. The pace is better. They were quicker around the field and quicker at making decisions. That was the difference."
The Kiwis make a significant difference? "They do, of course. We just have to front up next season and hopefully after next Sunday we'll get up to Division One.
"There was unbelievable support here today. There was not a person left in Tullow and they really spurred on the team, especially in the second half. The whole club is on a high so it can only get better. We will be back here next year. This brings you back to your grassroots and it was something special to be involved with today."
Navan's New Zealand halfbacks were provided a platform by a monstrous pack. Number eight Sylvanus Iro made a significant impact throughout the 80 minutes (he was still emptying Tullow strike runners in injury-time). Openside and captain Bernard Smyth was the pick of the home-grown. A genuine nuisance at the breakdown.
Australian player coach Brad Harris brought the foreign brigade up to four. "The core of the team has been together since under-16 level and we've tried to improve certain areas but the underage structure is a credit to the club," he said. "Fifteen of the 20 today came through the youth system at Navan."
The next challenge for them is to keep hold of Roberts and company as they seek senior status. They look well capable of making an impact in Division Three.
"We believe the standard we produce makes us capable of being competitive at senior level. There are probably 10 clubs around the four provinces that are in the same category so it is very hard to make the step up. But we keep giving ourselves the chance. We're willing to work hard to attain that goal."
The Tullow nightmare began right from the kick-off as a knock on presented Navan with their first attacking scrum. After a Roberts penalty, Mattson scrambled over after a simple pick and pass from Iro off a five-metre scrum. The defence on the short side was poor.
This was Tullow's main problem. Too many men fell off tackles, while it only took about three phases before a gap opened up. Navan could force it up front but preferred to move it where possible and in fullback Karl Manning they had a decent runner.
A Willie Canavan penalty was Tullow's only response but well finished tries from centre Ronan Conaty and Manning left it 27-3 at the turn.
Navan emptied the bench 10 minutes into the second half so it was no surprise they did not add another try.
Tullow, to their credit, persevered throughout with the reward coming from a 13-man shove over the line. Replacement Donal Haskins coming up with the ball.
Roberts landed another penalty before a try from Tullow winger Peter Fitzgerald put a respectable gloss on the final score.
SCORING SEQUENCE: 3 mins: R Roberts pen, 3-0; 6: K Mattson try, 8-0; 11: W Canavan pen, 8-3; 18: S Iro try, 13-3; R Roberts conv, 15-3; 30: R Conaty try, 20-3; R Roberts conv, 22-3; 37: K Manning try, 27-3. 66: D Haskins try, 27-8; 71: R Roberts pen, 30-8; 80: P Fitzgerald try, 30-13.
NAVAN: K Manning; D Geraghty, R Conaty, S Donnelly, S Hogan; R Roberts, K Mattson; E King, C Brady, D King; B Harris, P Fenney; S Dawson, B Smyth (capt), S Iro. Replacements: N Welsh for B Harris, S Gallagher for P Fenney, T Clarke for R Conaty (all 50 mins); R Riley for C Brady, E Dunne for D King (both 67 mins).
TULLOW: D Vance; P Fitzgerald, P Byrne, P O'Sullivan, W O'Brien; W Canavan, W Deacon; I Glynn (capt), J O'Connor, A Burns; R Bolger, F Murphy; J Kearney, J Roache, J Fitzgerald. Replacements: D Haskins for J Kearney (8 mins); D Myers for I Glynn (half-time); R Lubin for W Deacon (58 mins); T Bolger for D Vance (61 mins); L Kilcoyne for A Burns (65 mins).
Referee: B O'Keeffe (ARLB).
