Portlaoise advance to the Tom Darcy Cup final, but not before being pushed all the way by Wicklow

Portlaoise 23 

Wicklow 19 

PORTLAOISE have booked their place in the final of the Leinster U/18 Tom Darcy Cup, after coming out on the right side of a seven-try thriller with Wicklow on Sunday afternoon in Oak Park, home of Carlow RFC.

Two tries from Matthew Cunningham and one each from Eanna Moynihan and Paul Byrne helped Portlaoise on their way, with outstanding performances all over the field from Moynihan, Excel Onosedeba Ekemhenrekhian, Joe Carroll, Daniel Whelan and Padraig Culleton.

Portlaoise overcame Mullingar in the quarter-finals having earlier beaten Enniscorthy, while Wicklow's path to the semis went through Carlow and Gorey.

Wicklow were under their own posts right from the kick-off and came under intense pressure in the 22, with some big carries from Portlaoise making the space which was perfectly exploited by fly half Daniel Whelan, who whipped the ball out wide to Eanna Moynihan before the big number eight crossed in the corner for the opening try inside two minutes.

Wicklow tried to hit back immediately, but Portlaoise turned them over three times, before some excellent kicking brought play back inside the Wicklow 22 in the tenth minute, but Portlaoise infringed and the chance was gone.

Wicklow turned the tables and pushed play into Portlaoise's 22 for the first time before winning a penalty and kicking to the corner. They claimed the lineout and mauled up to the line, with the officials awarding the try after referee Dave Morris had initially indicated that Zach Kenny had been held up. William Roberts added the conversion to nudge Wicklow in front after 17 minutes.

Portlaoise were soon back in the Wicklow 22 after a big carry and a classy offload from Joe Carroll. Wicklow had initially cleared their lines, but coughed up a penalty 35 metres from goal, which Daniel Whelan kicked between the posts to Portlaoise back in front after 25 minutes.

But the lead was short-lived as Wicklow put the ball through the hands before a slick pass from Daniel Clarke released Ewan Mayer and for the second time in the game a number eight raced into the corner for a try.

Joe Carroll won a turnover penalty on the floor as the Portlaoise blindside continued to showcase his bag of tricks in what was an outstanding performance from the flanker. Portlaoise kicked to the corner and looked to drive over the line, but they were forced all the way across the pitch and despite a brilliant recovery run from full back Paul Byrne it was Wicklow who stole the ball back and cleared the danger.

That spelled the end of the half, with Portlaoise trailing by four points, down 12-8 at the interval.

Wicklow were on top right from the restart, but Portlaoise turned the ball over on their own try-line. They won a penalty and brought play up to halfway, where a brilliant rip and offload from Moynihan released Dennis Phelan. The hooker charged through the defence before Portlaoise went wide to Matthew Cunningham, but the pacey winger was stopped just short of the try-line. They created another chance on the same wing moments later, but Cullan Kirwan could not make it count.

Handling errors were costing Portlaoise and they soon found themselves defending a scrum 30 metres from their own line, with nothing to show from a dominant last ten minutes.

Two crunching tackles from Excel Onosedeba Ekemhenrekhian allowed Padraig Culleton to run the ball clear. The big centre received the ball again seconds later and carried all the way to the Wicklow line before popping a pass to Cunningham who crossed for a try.

Back in the lead at 13-12, Portlaoise remained on the front foot with Whelan, Moynihan and Culleton to the fore midway through the half.

Portlaoise won a penalty 15 metres from the Wicklow goal and opted to tap, spreading the play across the field and driving up to the line. The forwards kept it for a time before going wide again, with another assist from Culleton releasing Paul Byrne who crossed for a third Portlaoise try. Whelan could not land the conversion, however, and the difference remained six points heading down the final stretch, with Portlaoise up 18-12.

Wicklow forced play back into the Portlaoise 22, but a ferocious tackle from Onosedeba Ekemhenrekhian was followed by another timely turnover by the tighthead - all in a day's work for Portlaoise's defensive powerhouse.

Wicklow were beginning to tire and Portlaoise exploited the space, with Daniel Whelan and Conor Deegan combining to release Matthew Cunningham before the winger raced away for his second try. Whelan's conversion went just wide, but his side were now 11 points in front with the clock on their side.

Wicklow were not lying down, however, and went through the phases, taking the ball to the Portlaoise line. Padraig Culleton was penalised in defence and sent to the sin bin, before Wicklow tapped the penalty and sent Louis Lyons crashing over for a try. Roberts added the extras to make it a four-point game.

Wicklow had time to fire one last shot, winning a penalty and kicking to the corner. But Portlaoise won the turnover, claimed the ball, and erupted into celebration when referee Morris sounded the final whistle.

Portlaoise have now set up a date with Kilkenny in the final with the date and venue yet to be confirmed.

SCORERS:

Portlaoise: Matthew Cunningham (2 tries), Eanna Moynihan, Paul Byrne (1 try each), Daniel Whelan (1 pen).

Wicklow: Zach Kenny, Ewan Mayer, Louis Lyons (1 try each), William Roberts (2 cons).

PORTLAOISE: Paul Byrne; Matthew Cunningham, Daithi Quirke, Padraig Culleton, Cullan Kirwan; Daniel Whelan, Daniel Maunsell; Brando De Donatis, Dennis Phelan, Excel Onosedeba Ekemhenrekhian; Shane Foley, Josh Carney; Joe Carroll, Mark Fennell, Eanna Moynihan.

Replacements: Conor Deegan, Bill Rigney, Fionn Mullen, Fionn Hanley, Alex Sheehan, Oran Darcy, Adam McCabe, Aaron Fitzpatrick.

WICKLOW: Oscar Dunne; Jack Reid, David Johnston, Sam Rijke, Kgololo Rahim Ahmed; William Roberts, Daniel Clarke; Alex Kelly, Anton Barry, Louis Lyons; Zach Kenny, Felix Rothschild; Kieran Armstrong, James McGowan, Ewan Mayer.

Replacements: Ryan Uhlemann, Francisc Lucaci, Zaac Quinn, Dylan Vickers, Ross Coombs, Daniel McConnell, Michael Puig-Lynch.

Referee: Dave Morris.