Portlaoise in cruise control in U18 Leinster league

Portlaoise dominated this game from start to finish and ran in eight tries, four  in each half to win their first Leinster League game in the 2022/23 Season. Ciaran Culleton got the score board ticking over after three minutes as powerful early dominance forced gaps in the St Mary’s defence and Culleton duly accepted the space to score a try and put Portlaoise into the lead, a lead they never relinquished.

With ten minutes gone the Portlaoise forwards were making hard yards, In particular Sam Browne and Evan Bergin been impressive, It set the platform up nicely for the backs to express themselves. Jake Byrne at scrum half popping sweet balls out to Number 10 Jake  Darcy who got the back line moving.

Portlaoise 50

St Mary’s  14                       

Three tries were scored in quick succession with Culleton running out of space on the wing was clever enough to pop the ball back to the supporting Jake Darcy who ran under the posts to touch down and make it easier for the extra two points. The second and third try were carbon copies as another Jake, this time Jake Colbert  steamrolled through the St Mary defence on two occasion to stretch the Portlaoise lead. Mathew Coonan Converted two of the tries to leave the score 24-0 but a lapse of concentration let St Marys in for two of their own tries to leave the score 24-14 at half time.

Shocked by the concession of tries, Portlaoise started to play as a unit and Evan Caffrey stood up and took charge. Drove on the pack and crossed the white wash  to extend the lead. St Mary’s were getting tired now and more tries were inevitable and the next one was worth waiting for. After continuous hard yards gained by Dara Phelan.

Ivan Okonkwo picked up the ball on his own 22, evaded 3 tackles and found himself in open space with only the full back to beat. With Dylan Kelly supporting him all the way, Okonkwo wisely played a one two with Kelly and added five more points and  the game was well out of reach at this stage. There was still time for Ciaran Culleton to add to his tally and the impressive Daniel Thornton scored under the posts to make the score 14 -50 at the full time whistle.

Portlaoise squad: Ciaran Culleton, Mathew Coonan, Stephen Delaney, Dara Phelan, Cian Coffey, Brian Barry, James Kidd, Billy Kerry, Adam Glynn, Cathal Kenny, Killian O'Keefee, Conor Raggett, Daniel Fingleton, Dylan Kelly, Evan Bergin, Evan Caffrey, Ivan Okonkwo, Jake Andrews, Jake Culbert, Jake Darcy, Jamie Baldwin, Paddy Reddin, PJ Larkin, Ross Bradley, Killian McHugh, Sean Peters, Nathan Duffy, David  Duggan, Daniel Thornton, Andrew Schiller, Nathan Flanagan, Killian Bowe, Eoin Rooney, Darragh Townsend, Aran Coiley, Euan McCann, Callum Carroll, Aaron Kingston, Conor Stack, Ryan Gilligan, Jake Byrne, Robert Keane, Dylan Browne, Sean Dunne, Ryan McEvoy, Rory Costigan, Josh Grogan, Sam Browne, Robbie Murtagh,