Towns Cup
Roscrea 18 Carlow 17
Carlow bowed out of the 2012 Towns Cup in the first round by the narrowest of margins on Saturday, going down 18 – 17 to Roscrea in Roscrea. Despite being shorn of four regulars Carlow had travelled with high hopes and looked to have the measure of their opponents coming into the second half with a 10 – 6
lead. However Roscrea, who have a 100% home record this season, upped their game scoring 12 points in the second half from two tries and a conversion.
Carlow stated the contest brightly but a simple penalty was missed two minutes into the game. Roscrea missed another on five minutes but nailed one five minutes later to take a 3 pts to nil lead. Carlow equalised with a Barcoe penalty on the half hour only to see Roscrea score another penalty almost immediately. In a game ridden with mistakes, mostly from Carlow, Barcoe intercepted on the stroke of half time. He broke to the halfway where he transferred to speedster wing John Clare to complete the run in for a try. The Barcoe conversion gave Carlow the 10 – 6 half time lead.
At half time the Carlow following, who outnumbered the home supporters, felt that their team with the livelier backs, should kick on to victory. But the errors persisted and the heavier Roscrea pack began to exert dominance at scrum and maul. Two Roscrea tries pushed their lead out to 18 – 12, and though Carlow worked the ball the length of the field to secure a try under the posts by new man Martin O Neill, the final whistle came before Carlow could do any more. Roscrea’s reward is another home match in the second round against Edenderry.
Another year gone and no Towns Cup in Oakpark.
Carlow J1.
Tom McDonagh, John Clare, Steve Smyth, Martin O Neill, Stuart O Malley, Paddy Barcoe, Mark Elmes, Ross Elmes, Joe Gorman, Chris Byrne Wes Shirley, Barry Waddock, Joe Bulmer, Damian MurphyTommy Ratihi
Subs; all used. Larry McGrath, John Whyte, John Farrell,
J2 vs Mullingar
2nds match postponed because of waterlogged pitch in Mullingar.
In circumstances reminiscent of Ireland in Paris, Carlow 2nds had their Cup match in Mullingar called off as the teams were leaving the dressing room, and ready to run onto to the pitch.
Upcoming Fixtures
next Club Events
 May 19 2012, 12:00amHeineken Cup Final |
 Jun 15 2012, 6:00pmPlay Tag Festival |
