By Kieran Murphy

TULLOW are the Provincial Towns Cup winners for 2017.
In Athy on Sunday they put in a huge performance to clinch a first ever victory with the 20-3 win over Skerries as decisive and deserving as the margin suggests.

Tullow captain Keiaho Bloomfield lifts the Towns Cup trophy after his team’s 20-3 win over Skerries Photo: Thomas Nolan Photography

The eventual winners still had to survive an early scare when the Tullow set-piece, which had been so secure in previous matches, was asked questions. A lost scrum and a lost line-out handed the initiative to Skerries who looked set to capitalise.
But an intercept try by Richie Nicholls rocked the Dubliners and injected a new confidence into the Tullow challenge.
“That was a turning point. We always talked that if we could get points on the board we would be OK,” said captain Keiaho Bloomfield afterwards.
Even though Robbie Jenkinson converted a Skerries penalty, it got better for Tullow just before the break. With Kyle Hanbidge in the sin-bin, Stephen Smith was on the end of a training-ground move off a lineout to score a second try. Tullow supporters could hardly believe their eyes as the Slaneysiders went in at half-time 12-3 ahead.
“There was a big breeze out there. We were under pressure in the first 20 minutes. We had to stay composed and ride out the storm. We knew we could finish it off in the second half,” noted Bloomfield.
Willie ‘Cas’ O’Brien’s season has been littered with injuries. Full-back may be his favourite position but with Willie Canavan and Ross Hynes ruled out for the season Tullow had to improvise.
Wearing the number 10 shirt, O’Brien capitalised on clean ball from his pack and kicked astutely into the corners. Skerries wilted.
“We said let’s not put pressure on ourselves by trying to play in our half. We said let’s force the errors and apply continuous pressure,” revealed Bloomfield.
A third try from Dylan Leybourne after the interval put Tullow in a commanding position. From there they made no mistake and O’Brien’s late penalty was the insurance score.
The captain may be from Auckland but he is very much a Tullow man now.
“It means a lot to me only because I know what it means to the community. Lads came up to me after the match and said they had been waiting over 20 years for this moment.
“To be a part of it is a great honour. Every single person on that field raised their hands and put in a performance,” said the New Zealander.
His family back home were aware this was a big game for the Tullow captain.
“My Mom, sister, brother, cousins knew this was important. They think we are a big area but we are a family oriented club and that is what I love about Tullow. I am so delighted we put in a performance which was worthy of winning a Provincial Towns Cup.”
Meanwhile, the Tullow seconds team will go in search of a Towns Cup double when they take on Wicklow in the decider on Saturday. Gorey has been mooted as the venue but this has still to be confirmed.
Also on Saturday, Tullow ladies play Railway Union in the Paul Flood Cup final in Donnybrook.