Last gasp try brings Cup glory back to Arklow

Arklow 8, Portlaoise 3: A last gasp Bob Baggot try helped Arklow seal the 2004 Greencore Towns Cup with an historic 8-3 victory over holders Portlaoise at Athy RFC on Sunday.

While strong winds had a particularly negative affect on the quality of rugby on show, no one could doubt the commitment of the two teams on display. Arklow may have been the first side to draw blood courtesy of a first half Darragh Kavanagh penalty, but Portlaoise showed all their experience to draw themselves level shortly after the break.

It may have been a tense, low scoring affair but Baggot's surge forward in the dying minutes of the game proved to be the all important winner, bringing the Greencore Towns Cup back to Arklow for the first time since 1985, and only the second time in the club's history.

Portlaoise started the game as favourites after last year's victory and their record as cup specialists having appeared in three semi-finals in the last four years.

However it was Arklow who had the first scoring opportunity, as Daragh Kavanagh sliced a drop goal wide of the upright in the opening exchanges.

This early opportunity seemed to spur Portlaoise on and they placed Arklow under some immense pressure but the Wicklow defence held firm, which would prove to be a major factor running through the game throughout its duration.

Portlaoise dominated the lineouts with Kieran Rigney and Glen Adams continuously making their presence felt. Both Graham Peavoy and Joe Cooper were denied as the pressure mounted, with Arklow player coach Quenton O'Neale clearing the line. ' Jamie Kavanagh also missed an opportunity to score from a penalty but the wind continued to be a factor and spun his tricky shot well wide of the upright.

As the match continued to progress, Arklow slowly clawed their way back into the game as their resolute defending seemed to send a surge of confidence throughout the whole team. Sean O'Neill came close but couldn't find a way past the tight Portlaoise defence but Arklow continued to hold onto possession of the ball.

Finally the first score of the clash arrived after 34 minutes as Daragh Kavanagh made no mistake with Arklow's first penalty of the match to place them in a 3-0 lead.

The opposition did have chances to head into the break on level terms but Jamie Kavanagh missed two difficult penalties from outside the 22.

The second half continued in much the same vein as the first, with Portlaoise starting the more promising only for Arklow to up the ante once again.

Pressure

Despite the opposition's early pressure, it was still Arklow who nearly increased their lead as Quenton O'Neale was just prevented from making space for a possible try.

Jamie Kavanagh's speed and eye for space caused Arklow some problems, and it looked as if a try was on the cards when he kicked ahead after a superb break, only for Darragh Kavanagh to spot and clear the danger.

Portlaoise finally pulled themselves level on 65 minutes after Jamie Kavanagh was successful with his fourth penalty of the final. But rather than deflate Arklow's confidence, the equaliser seemed to galvanise them as they grouped together with renewed vigour.

It may not have been the most free flowing game of rugby in the world, but the substantial crowd were whipped up into a frenzy as extra time loomed.

George Cooper for Portlaoise attempted a drop goal but his effort barely left the ground. The longer the game went on the clearer it became that whichever side managed to break the try deadlock would return home victorious.

The moment all the Arklow crowd had been faithfully waiting for finally arrived with only minutes remaining. Liam Plunkett broke through the defence of Portlaoise, helped by a clever Daragh Kavanagh run, and the ball made its way out to flanker Bob Baggot who managed to barge over the line for the winner.

Daragh Kavanagh just failed to score the conversion but now Portlaoise needed at least a last minute try to even the scores. In the dying five minutes they were awarded four penalties but opted for the try and kicked each into touch. Try as they might, Portlaoise just couldn't break down Arklow's tightly knitted defence and there were memorable scenes of celebration throughout the ground as the referee blew the full time whistle, ensuring that the Greencore Provincial Towns Cup made its way to Arklow for the first time in 19 years.

Captain Anthony O'Donnell couldn't hide his delight at his sides triumph and paid tribute to Arklow's whole set up, from fellow squad members to the coaching and management staff.

'It went all the way down to the wire and Portlaoise really put it up to us. It has been a long, hard season with plenty of ups and downs so it is nice to finish on a high note. 'We have been training really hard for this competition and all the preparation has put us on an Up and we came here on a real high. All the team fought beside me. Before the game I told everyone I wanted to look into everyone's eyes and the end of the game and see that they had given it their all. They came here today and everyone put in the work,' said Arklow's proud captain.

Arklow: Albert Plunkett, Ivor Conway, Anthony O'Donnell, Paul McDonald, Richard Murphy, Bob Baggot, Ross Vigors, Dan Wyeth, Johnny O'Toole, Quenton O'Neale, Marcus Prestige, Marc Rangitaawa, Liam Plunkett, Sean O'Neill, Daragh Kavanagh. Subs: Billy Byrne, Tadgh O'Scannail, Barry O'Neil, Colm O'Neil, Shane Nulty.

Portlaoise: Colm Casey, Billy Telford, Alan Gee, Kieran Rigney, Graham Peavoy, Joe Cooper, Glen Adams, Brian Gee, Alan Kingsley, Johnny Kingsley, Jamie Kavanagh, David Graham, George Cooper, lan Galbraith, Kevin Flanagan. Subs: John Dowling, Pat McEvoy, Donal Rigney, Michael Fennelly, Mark Delaney.

Referee: Des Woods