Intimidating welcome awaits Meath men
Tuesday March 09 2010
NOTHING GETS Tullow rugby fans blood racing more than the Town's Cup, and for that reason the club's leading fifteen will be expecting an intimidating crowd to support them when the entertain holders Boyne in the second round at Black Gates on Sunday
Visions of their marvellous run to the final against Navan two seasons ago should help boost the players who are out to compensate for losing 6-14 to Boyne in Drogheda last year with the former Drogheda/ Delvin combination going on to lift the trophy for the first time under its new name.
The visitors will have most of the players who succeeded last April, but they can expect a hot reception at Black Gates where many a hopeful has fallen, and morale is high even considering they did not fare well against Coolmine in Dublin last Sunday where the hosts clinched the Leinster League Division 1B.
Boyne, who defeated Portlaoise on Sunday, may be league high-fliers but they did not impress Mark Coady who detected a weakness when Boyne conceded 19 successive points, and he feels if Tullow backs receive quality ball they can cause what would be the upset of the competition so far.
But knawing at Coady and company is the number of turns over the team is conceding and here the pack will be expected to share attacking responsibilities with the backs in the knowledge that they are capable of scoring tries.
They may not have Paddy Byrne at midfield as he has been unable to train regularly because of work commitments, but Patrick Walsh, who replaced his injured brother Thomas on Sunday, has been travelling over from London for Friday training.
Sunday's challenge was led by Joey Connors and John Roche in the pack and Kiato Bloomfield and Barry Purcell behind and they will be expected to set a hot pace against Boyne.
- PAUL DONAGHY
