North Meath continue unbeaten run
North Meath RFC were victorious over Portlaoise at home on Sunday afternoon.
North Meath RFC 27
Portlaoise RFC 10
North Meath RFC continued their unbeaten record in the Leinster League Div 2b with a solid win over Portlaoise on Sunday afternoon. The win will give Simon Deavey's side a huge confidence boost as they prepare for their title-deciding clash with Newbridge next week.
It took awhile for North Meath to settle into the contest but a late first-half try from Patrick Farnan secured the home side a 12-5 advantage at half-time. North Meath upped the intensity in the second 40 minutes and despite the fact that a couple of chances went by the wayside, North Meath still managed to register two more tries and a penalty which gave them a comfortable bonus point victory.
North Meath opened their account early in the clash with a try within the first minute. Oisin McDermott set up Sean O'Reilly who crossed over the line to give the men in black and amber an early 5-0 advantage. McDermott was unsuccessful with the conversion attempt.
Despite the quick start to the contest, neither side really settled into the game until deep into the first quarter. There were numerous turnovers as both sides contributed silly errors in that opening 20 minutes. Eventually, Portlaoise took advantage of North Meath's complacency and leveled the scoring courtesy of a try from Niall Kiernan. Kiernan missed the conversion so the sides remained deadlocked at five points apiece.
Soon after, McDermott had an opportunity to edge North Meath ahead but his attempt from a penalty kick just flew past the left-hand side of the posts. Portlaoise also had a chance to hit the front but Mark Kelly's penalty effort was also wide of the mark.
With three minutes remaining in the half, Patrick Farnan crossed the Portlaoise try line after receiving a fantastic pass from scrum-half Nathan Kiernan. In the final play of the opening 40 minutes, North Meath had a chance for a third try but Portlaoise dealt with the danger well and the sides went in at the break with the Kells-based outfit holding a 12-5 advantage.
Within two minutes of the restart, North Meath extended their lead courtesy of a successful penalty kick from McDermott. The successful dead-ball effort clearly gave McDermott a boost in confidence. The Fly-half's accurate kicking with the ball in hand started to become a huge factor and on numerous occasions, advanced North Meath deep into enemy territory.
North Meath were given a further boost when Mark Rigney was sent to the sin bin. During those 10 minutes where they had a numerical advantage, North Meath were camped in Portlaoise's half. Simon Deavey's men had two fantastic chances to go further ahead but mistakes close to the try line handed the Laois outfit two try-saving penalties.
Keith O'Neill set-up Jordan Hering for the first of his two tries which left 15 points between the sides. North Meath dealt well with a few Portlaoise attacks, but the final line of defence was eventually broken when Mark Sherlock secured the Midlands side a second try.
Eager to secure a bonus point, Hering provided North Meath with that all-important fourth try and with the last kick of the game, McDermott skilfully drop-kicked the conversion much to the delight of the home supporters.
North Meath - Jordan Hering, Carl McGovern, Cian Doogan, Pauric Finnegan, Sean O'Reilly, Oisin McDermott, Nathan Kiernan; Padraic McGurl, Keith O'Neill, Jack Yore, Sam Bashford, Harry Finnegan, Eoin Briody, Patrick Farnan, Peter Flanagan. Subs - Sean Gilsenan, Adam Deighan, Daniel Adekulne, Eanna Finn, Tommy Brady, Louis Finnegan, Joe Carry.
Portlaoise - Oisin Bennett, Adam Duffin, Alan Connolly, Cormac Doyle, Euan McCann, Niall Kiernan, Mark Kelly; Paddy Coss, Ryan McEvoy, Joe Stevens, Michael Rigney, Sean Peters, Mark Sherlock, Cian Coffey, Cormac Rigney. Subs - Shane Reilly, Aran Coiley, Aaron Kingston, Darragh Davies, Daniel Bland, Mark Rigney, Tadgh O'Sullivan.
Referee - David Orde