Ulster Bank AIL Div 2c Promotion Play-Off 29th April 2017
Scorers: McLean(1*Try, 1*Conv, 1*Pen), Quinn(2*Try), P.McCusker(2*Try), J.McMurray(1*Try)
The hundreds of spectators who rolled into Hatrick Park last Saturday were treated to an exhilarating exhibition of running rugby as Rainey Old Boys beat Tullamore 35-23 in the BP Mc Keefry Transport Solutions sponsored Play-Off final to go straight back up to Division 2B. Rainey's first half display was exceptionally good and how the Co Offaly men managed to keep in touch remains a bit of a mystery. Making it a triple celebration at the club were the U14 team who beat a fancied Virginia side 26-12 in Co Cavan and the Hockey Club's 2nd XI who beat CIYMS III in Belfast.
The first half was a thrill-a-minute affair, well handled by top ladies referee Joy Neville. Against a blustery breeze, Rainey were intent on keeping the ball in hand and McLean kicked the opening points of the game after six minutes when Andrew and the McMurray brothers combined to make good ground up the middle. But, as they tend to do all too often, they conceded a silly penalty on the restart to gift the visitors the equaliser. Winning the restart ball, Rainey worked their way upfield to establish a promising field position and when O'Hagan took it on further, out-half Andrew put through a perfect little kick for full-back Quinn to add the coup de grace.
Rainey's ball carriers continued to starve the opposition of possession until another lapse in discipline allowed the Midlanders to make it 8-6. By the end of the first quarter, Tullamore had barely touched the ball. Rainey's backs looked good and when they broke through the centre, Andrew went right to find Damien McMurray near the touchline. He flew down the wing to topple the last line of defence when challenged and leave the roving Philip McCusker a simple task. Unbelievably, Tullamore were soon on even terms. From a turnover, impressive hands and good support created the opening on the right.
Rainey's reply was instant. From a Barker take, O'Hagan was let loose to set the opposition back and Andrew's kick wide allowed McCusker to catch and dive over in the same movement. The simplicity and speed of this move was quite stunning. This was to become a purple patch for Rainey when the backs moved it in style wide to McCusker who went down the line and fed Quinn on his inside for the score of the game. At 25-13 Rainey now had a reasonable lead, but right on half-time, some great footwork and handling gave Tullamore numbers on their left and the score at the break was 25-20.
In the second half, Rainey stuck to their ball in hand game rather than use the wind and lost much of their momentum through conceding far too many free- kicks and penalties. Tullamore lost a forward to a yellow card after 48 minutes giving Rainey the chance of tieing in their cover for McLean to go in at the corner. Tullamore were still full of running and had to be admired. Wilson had to scamper back when a hack through had them in trouble. A close range penalty on 65 minutes kept Tullamore hopes alive, but Rainey were not going to squander their lead. From a scrum, Andrew, the Man of the Match, who is likely to continue his coaching plans in Spain next season, sliced through the Tullamore defence, but was held up. Rainey went for the pushover and were practically there when they managed to make a mess of it. The try they deserved arrived almost out of the blue in time added. Tullamore tried to get a little chip through a narrow gap on their 22' and near the touchline, but it was partially blocked. It fell into the hands of Philip McCusker, who then slipped it to Jody McMurray who went in unopposed.
TEAM : O.Quinn, S.McLean, D.McMurray, J.McMurray, P.McCusker, R.Andrew, K.Donaghy, M.Caithness, T.O'Hagan, R.McCusker, T.Barker, M.McCusker, J.Lees, D.Corrigan.
REPLACEMENTS : S.Rutledge, A.Donaghy. F.Quinn, G.Martin, A.Mc Swiggan, B.Mullan, J.McCusker.