Following their impressive victory over Trim Bulldogs last time out, Drogheda Lightning were back in action on Sunday in their eagerly anticipated clash against league leaders Tullamore Phoenix. With both teams flying high in the DV8s standings after three games the match bore all the makings of a tough title decider and those who ventured to St. Oliver’s Community College were treated to a fine display of football from two teams at the top of their game.
The Lightning exploded out of the blocks, putting up a score with the games first play. Quarterback Dan Finnamore held his nerve to find Dave Murray with a ten yard pass before the Duleek native split the Tullamore defence, running fifty yards into the endzone to give the hosts a 0-6 lead. The touchdown marked the first time the visiting Phoenix had conceded all season but the County Offaly side regrouped to stop the point after attempt, keeping the deficit at a half dozen.
You don’t become champions by giving up though and the visitors pushed Drogheda hard for the remainder of the first quarter but were unable to put a score on the board thanks to some resolute Lightning defending. They did, however, put up a number of big yardage plays with Daire O’Beirne providing their biggest gain after a seventeen yard rush midway through the quarter.
Just as in the reverse fixture earlier in the season the Drogheda defence was finally breached in the second quarter. In spite of a last ditch Oisin Dowling tackle that halted the Phoenix just one yard short of the line, Tullamore running back Daire O’Beirne finished off a seventy one yard drive to level the score at six a piece. Once again the point after attempt fell short, keeping the score all square.
Capitalising on a tiring Drogheda side, who once again fielded a depleted line, Tullamore star Daire O’Beirne graced the endzone on his side’s next possession to put the visitors into the lead for the first time. Again they were unable to add the point after conversion, leaving the score 12-6 to the Phoenix. Brian Kirwan then crossed the end line before the end of the half to heap further despair on the home side whose own efforts were going unrewarded. Another failed point after attempt resulted in the sides going in at haft time with twelve points between them – Tullamore Phoenix 18-6 Drogheda Lighting.
Any hope that the Lightning may have held that they might come back into the game in the second half received a massive blow when Tullamore extended their lead with the first play of the second half, Daire O’Beirne crossing the line to add six to the growing gap between the teams. Another missed opportunity at the point after left the scoreline at 24-6 to the visitors.
In spite of the growing margin between the teams, Drogheda pushed on, looking to take something from a game that was quickly getting away from them. Unfortunately their efforts were in vein as Mark Brolly rounded out the scoring in the third quarter to extend the Phoenix lead, which was quickly added to with the game’s only converted point after attempt. The hosts, however, will find some solace in the fact that they managed to shut the visitors out for the entirety of the fourth quarter.
Though the game ended in a 31-6 loss, Drogheda will be keen to focus on the positive aspects of what was a thoroughly competitive game of football. In spite of the twenty-five point margin in the result they pushed Tullamore all the way in a display that bodes well for the future of the team. The Phoenix on the other hand will be hoping to build on four fine displays this season when they entertain Dublin Dragons in Tullamore on August 1st.
Report by Drogheda Reporter.