Clondalkin 20 vs 27 Enniscorthy, Leinster 2nds Provincial Towns Cup Semi Final
Clondalkin seconds suffered another heart-breaking loss in the Towns cup. Having lost the final narrowly last year, they lost a pulsating Semi Final 27-20.
Clon couldn’t have got a better start when Colum Tighe crash over. Moments later young fly half Mikey Russell intercepted to race 60 meters untouched. Stephen Cunningham adding the extras as Clon lead 14-0 on 10 minutes. This woke Enniscourty and they replied with two quick tries of their own and the sides traded penalties for a score of 17-17 at half time. The second half was as tight, and as the game entered the final stages, Enniscorthy’s centre pounced on a loose pass and gave them the lead. Clondalkin did go in search of the levelling score but couldn’t break the Wexford’s men goal line defence.
Coach Dan Fitzpatrick was visibly disappointed but was quick to point out how proud he was of his 20 warriors.
“This was a young Clondalkin side, with plenty of standout players who have only recently come through our underage system, and have a very bright future of first team rugby in Mikey Russell, Tom Mc Grath, Gar Black, Dara Ward and Bobby Smith all staring throughout another fantastic cup run. Others like flanker Luke Sweetman, Nick Easter look-a-like Ciaran O’Connor and international league convert Stephen Costello, who have all blossomed into leaders with an insatiable work rate and given head coach John Bagnall a few nice problems to solve over his summer break. Finally, Fitzpatrick wasn’t without praise for his old warhorses, Cunningham, Tighe and captain Kevin Cullen, who he hopes “will be back next season to finally get their towns cup medal”. Congrats to the lads for an amazing season, including retaining the Lalor cup.
Clondalkin 2nds XV: (1-15) Ciaran O’Connor, Gary Geoghan, Garett Black, Kevin Cullen, Tom Mc Grath, Colum Tighe, Luke Sweetman, Bobby Smith, Dara Ward, Mikey Russell, Podge Murphy, Stephen Costello, Dave Gaule, Pete Fitzgerald, Stephen Cunnigham. Subs: Hugh Curran, Conor Mc Crea, Greg Dunne, Chris Jebb, John Murphy, Stephen Keeley.
Coachs: Dan Fitzpatrick, Ali Collier, Marty O’brien, Martin Maguire.
Clondalkin Womens Rugby 15 vs 16 CYM RFC, Leinster Women’s Paul Flood Cup Quarter Final
Defending the trophy that they won last season, Clondalkin found themselves in a real cup battle against a well-drilled CYM side who opened the scoring with a try under the posts after eighteen minutes which was cancelled out five minutes later by a Sara Phelan try. CYM scored another try five minutes later and ended the half ten points to six ahead.
Clondalkin were the first on the scoreboard after the break with a second try from Sara Phelan but CYM hit back with two converted penalties. Clondalkin’s continuing pressure was rewarded with a well worked try by Siobhan Tierney. Unfortunately the conversion attempt by Gale Stowe hit the post and wide. The final whistle followed soon after signalling the end of Clondalkin’s involvement in the cup by a single point after a very brave effort.
