Match Report: Clondalkin 3rd XV 26 vs 12 Seapoint, Leinster Metro League Division 8
Clondalkin thirds registered only their third win of a grueling campaign with a convincing 26-12 victory over Seapoint at home this Saturday. Captain Jay Radcliff elected to take advantage of a strong wind in the first half and his decision seemed a wise one with Darren Nolan and Jack Holland going over for scores early on. Despite playing downhill and with the strong wind at their back, Clondalkin did not have it all their own way in the first half with the impressive Seapoint number 8 crossing the line after 20 minutes to bring the score to 12-5 after 20 minutes.
Coach Declan Flanagan identified the 8 as being the difference maker in the game and knew it was important he was kept quiet. He swiftly brought on former second team captain Derek Murtagh to provide some guidance to apprentice back rower Mark O’Rourke. The man who once starred in Bill Cullen’s TV3 show had been having a tough time dealing with the combative 8, and the addition of Murtagh to the second row provided some experience to the forward unit. The decision proved fruitful and Clondalkin were able to reassert the dominance in the game. Clon entered the break 18-5 in front and knew it would be tough to see out the game with an 11 point difference and with such a strong wind in their face.
Seapoint started the second half like a team possessed and it took huge defensive efforts from the back row and centre combinations to repel a 10 minute siege. Colin Lyons and Joxer both made try saving tackles much to the delight of onlooking coach Flangan. A massive turnover from captain Radcliff eventually saw Clondalkin emerge from their 22 for the first time in the second half. The reprieve only lasted a shortwhile and this time it was Steven ‘BubbleJacket’ McKenna leading the defensive effort. McKenna forced a turnover which was then kicked to Seapoints strong running winger, who went over to bring the score to 18-12 after 55 minutes. Clon needed something special and a Leigh Beresford length of the field special seen Clon open back up an 11 point lead. A Rae Connors penalty on the sixty minute mark would be the last score of the game.
Man of the match Mark O’Rourke came into his own in the last twenty minutes and registered a number of telling hits to see Clondalkin close out the game 26-12. O’Rourke had this to say of his performance after the game ‘I spent a good few weeks on the show with Bill Cullen and he taught me a lot of the dirty secrets of the business world. However, I learned more of the dark art in the 60 minutes I spent playing alongside Derek Murtagh than Bill could ever teach me. It truly was Master and Apprentice stuff out there today”.
Coach Declan Flanagan was quizzed about his teams infamous internet appearance midweek where the clip of Ciaran Murphy being carried more than twenty metres on one the Barnhall players back the week before went almost as viral as the Honey Badgers shout out to the firsts this time last year. “I told him he could learn a lot by watching Israel Folau in action. I guess I’ll have to be more specific in what aspects of Folau’s game I want him to replicate in future”.
(with thanks to Derek Murtagh, runner-up man of the match)
