Clondalkin made the trip down the N11 to Enniscorthy for the opening round of matches in this season’s Leinster League Division 1A. An exciting spectacle was in store as both sides came into this fixture unbeaten and in free scoring mode so far this season. Enniscorthy were first off the mark with a penalty kick before Niall Nolan scored a try for Clondalkin in the left hand corner after good work by Brian Doyle and Sean Brennan in the centre of the park. Despite missing the difficult conversion, Chris Jebb landed a drop goal shortly afterwards to put the visitors 8 – 3 ahead. The Clondalkin front row of Doyle, James Kenny and Ciaran Cullen were dominating at scrum time and turned over a number of Enniscorthy put-ins. However, the home team’s backs were dangerous throughout and a break through the centre lead to their first try of the match that leveled the scores. Just before half-time, another Enniscorthy break gained them significant ground and despite a last-ditch tackle from Niall Nolan, the Enniscorthy winger was adjudged to have grounded the ball in the corner to leave the home team ahead at the break 15-8.
Enniscorthy were first out of the blocks in the second half after a move off a reset scrum saw their winger dot down between the Clondalkin posts. The successful conversion left the Wexford side 22 points to 8 ahead but this was to be their final score of the match. Chris Jebb landed 2 further kicks before Clondalkin were awarded a last minute penalty in front of the posts. With a losing bonus point on offer, the pragmatic option was chosen and Jebb duly converted to leave the final score Enniscorthy 22 points to 17 for Clondalkin.
The Dublin side can take pride in a solid performance with the losing bonus point achieved against the current All-Ireland Junior Cup champions despite 10 players being unavailable due to injury. Next up is the first home fixture of the season on Saturday 27th against the reigning Towns Cup holders, Ashbourne RFC. Kick off in Gordon Park is at 15.00.
Clondalkin 1st XV: B Doyle, J Kenny, C Cullen, S Brennan, S King, L Sweetman, N Finlay, J Walsh, M Russell, C Jebb, N Nolan, K Jebb, D Jebb, O Delaney, B Molloy. Subs: K Kelly, T McGrattan, J Gonzales, M Mulloy, R McGearailt.
