Match Report: Clondalkin 4th XV 32 vs 5 Stillorgan. Leinster Metro League Div 11.
At the sound of the final whistle Captain fantastic, Brendan Ward, lifted his daughter in the air with delight. Clondalkin has secured a place in their league final. Some would suggest that it was on the windy Saturday in Corkagh Park that Clons Fourths booked their front row tickets for the final, but Brendan believes it was in the beginning of this year’s campaign.
It was a campaign of injuries, pain, recoveries and growth. One filled with lost inches, both on the pitch and waists, lost and gained yards. Matches lost, and the unbeaten run home in the later stages. Young bucks running alongside senior stallions of the game. And a broken bone or two. Not always pretty, but always asking questions of their opponents. Some questions that none had the answers to.
Saturday was no different. As members of the Fourths Elite showed up to Corkagh Park, Clons Home away from home, the wind seemed to get stronger with every bootlace that was tied. Each member delegated a role in today’s squad. Each as important as the next persons. Clon needed a win. And Clon was getting a win!!!!
As the whistle was blown, the ball lifted high into the air, Clon received happily. Regardless of Stillorgan and the winds effort to put them under pressure. Captain Brendan Ward was first on the ball. Head down, eyes locked on Stillorgans biggest player on the pitch, Bren geared up with a mighty run barrelling through them, needing the aid of two men to take him down. The tone was set. Game on.
Clondalkins pack stepped up to take on a few strong, heavy runs. Not gaining much yards but dragging in more than one or two defenders. With a weakening defence line, Tom Powerhouse Duffy and Kev Bull’s-eye Dunphy took a ball on with pace destroying their structured backline. Stillorgan were outnumbered and Dave “Sniper “Shirley noticed the overlap, quickly got the ball wide to the winger…John “the Finisher” Mooney. Like Ronseal, doing exactly what it says on the tin, the Finisher put five points on Clons score board. Up stepped Al Hickey. The golden boot. The wind picked up, as if to stop Alan’s punt but he connected sweetly and over it sailed. 7-0.
Stillorgan restarted with a high ball, but Carl Jebb was waiting for it. Taken close to his chest, Carl side stepped, skipped and somehow danced around opposition to gain a near 30 yards for Clon. Ciaran CC Collins was first to react to the ball, picking and driving until the tank read empty. No answer to be found for this kind of strength by the opposition.
The back line set up one of their vintage moves, and as if collecting Stillorgan players as a hobby, Ronan Robocop Cooper had four defenders hanging off him, maybe one in his pocket, as he fell over the white wash only to be held up. Inches away. Stillorgan put in to the scrum on their five, ball came out to their number 10, and like a dog at their heels, and Stephen Poodle Kenny was in his face. His clearance kick was foiled but managed to slide away from Kenny’s grasp, but human wall, Chris Crispy Murray had better ideas. Dragging the Num10 back over his try line forcing them to touch it down. Clondalkin Scrum five. As solid as an uncontested scrum can be the ball made it back to Shirley, where he quickly passed to Gareth the Noble Steed, and he gifted John Mooney his second of the Day. Unfortunately for Hickey, the wind changed and could not convert. 12-0.
A few minutes later the mighty Clon were on the ball, putting pressure on yet again. Mick The Hunter Heaney, was not only on his A-game, but on the ball at this minute. He was tackled but the tackler didn’t release. Penalty to Clon. Alan kicked to touch. The Pack walked over and with a quick dart the maul was walking. Like an unstoppable force they walked over the line and Kevin Dunphy touched down for the first of his day. The wind still playing games with Hickey, score set at 17-0.
Half time couldn’t come faster for the visitors as Clondalkin relished the break. As Clondalkin kicked off, the ball took its bounces and went out to touch. And just like Clon had been doing all game. The pack made themselves a nuisance when defending lineouts. This consistency remained when the fresh members of the pack made their way to the pitch. Derek Noodles Noonan, and Pinpoint Paul Gifford. Clon managed to drag Stillorgans ball Carrier out of touch and with can only be called a masterclass in mauling, the pack chauffeured Kev Dunphy in for his second of the day. Kicking into the gale, the ball acted more like a boomerang, and coming back towards Alan. 22-0
Stillorgan managed to get a bit of luck half way through the 2nd half. Where Clondalkin couldn’t take down their num13 at the half way line, he had an easy jog to 5points. 22-5.
Onto the pitch came Conor the Mighty Steed and the game was in safe hands. With accurate passing life at ruck time was made easy. A quick ball from the back of a ruck out to player of the year Eamonn Yambo Stapleton, to Bren Ward, who seemed to want to share the wealth, gifted Stephen Kenny with a glorious pass so he could touch it down for Clon to remove any hope of a Stillorgan comeback. 27-5
So the game was coming to a close, and Clondalkin still with their foot on the gas, pushed forward.
Yards were being won by the whole pack, even the fresh faced back line were enjoying this spell. As the team lined up to the right of the ruck, Alan hickey spotted an over-lap on the left. The Mighty Steed fed the ball to Alan, who broke the first tackle to send Eamonn Stapleton off on his way. Storming up the side line like a man possessed. Stillorgan made the tackle but Eamonn offloads the ball like a politician does his obligations, with ease. And who was there to collect, only Man of the Match, Mick Heaney. Mick slid over the line for Clons last try and most attractive try of the Day. 32-5
The final whistle blew and Clondalkins league ambitions came true. On a cold Saturday in Corkagh Park, Clondalkins Fourth Squad grew a little taller and their dreams started coming true.
(with thanks to Chris “Crispy” Murray)
