Tullow see off Naas to return to Towns Cup Final
Tullow RFC players celebrate after their side's victory in the Bank of Ireland Provincial Towns Cup semi-final Photo: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
Three-time winners Tullow are through to the final of the Bank of Ireland Leinster Towns Cup after a gruelling victory over Naas on Saturday night in Oak Park, Carlow.
With conditions making life incredibly difficult for both teams, physicality was at a premium in this hard-fought contest that went right down to the wire.
Tullow opened the scoring with a try from Joe Waters, converted by Peter Burgess; but Naas responded with a try of their own from Cormac King, converted by Peter Osborne to leave the sides level at 7-7 at half time.
Tullow moved 14 points clear courtesy of tries from captain Scott Caldbeck and a second from Waters, both converted by Burgess.
Naas reduced the gap to seven late on when full back Osborne converted his own try.
But it was not enough as late, late penalties from Burgess and Dara Cosgrave from inside his own half sealed the win for Tullow and set up a date in the final against reigning champions Athy in two week's time.
Dara Cosgrave (1 pen); Shane Duffy, Jack Hanlon, Ryan Curran, Adam Johnson; Peter Burgess (1 pen, 3 cons), Cian Leonard; Scott Caldbeck (1 try), Corey Leigh Hughes, Tom Cashen; Martin Cole, Joe Waters (2 tries); Tom Hughes, Fiach O'Byrne, Ezrah Vai. Replacements: Brian Keogh, Daniel Culleton, Paul Canavan, Colm Gorry, James O'Brien, Ryan O'Neill, Stephen Smith.
Peter Osborne (1 try, 2 cons); David O'Sullivan, David Butler, Tim Bohan, Derry Lenehan; Ethan Travers, Cormac King (1 try); Callum Coyne, Tadgh Dooley, Patrick Brophy; Cillian Dempsey, Paddy McMahon; Conor McGroary, Jack Rogers, Eoin Walsh. Replacements: Patrick Stapleton, Fintan O'Malley, Jason Cutler, Muiris Cleary, Ryan Casey, Andy Carroll, Sam Dunne.
Sean Kearns.
