Clon Claim 4th Place after Coolmine Win

Clondalkin made the short trip to Coolmine on Saturday 7th March for their final league match of the season. With league status all but secured following last week’s win against Cill Dara, the aim was to continue their winning run and claim a top 4 place in Division 1A. With Coolmine’s fate on the bottom of the table already sealed, they were playing for honour in this local derby. The weather was dry with just a little breeze and the pitch conditions were excellent  which promised some attractive rugby. It was Clon who started the stronger, especially Simon King and Marcus Doyle who were hitting rucks with serious intent and winning a number of turnover balls. After 7 minuntes, Clon secured a scrum on the 5 metre line. A pick and go from the base by King was held up but from the resultant ruck, out half Ben Foran fed Derek Glennon who barged his way over for the first score of the match. The try went unconverted but Clondalkin defended this 5 point lead until the half time whistle.

Early in the second half, a defensive line-out from Clondalkin was over complicated and Coolmine capitalised to score their first points – the conversion from the touchline also held true to give the home team a two point lead. The lead exchanged hands once again after Coolmine were penalised on their 10 meter line in front of the posts and Foran held his nerve to land the kick to edge Clon ahead 8 points to 7. Shortly afterwards, Coolmine were reduced to 14 men after a yellow card and Clondalkin upped the pressure levels. With Coolmine in possession, Paul Nolan put in a tackle on man and ball and the loose ball was scooped up by Eoin Delaney who jinked past some attempted tackles before putting the boot down and racing home from 50 yards. The conversion was a formality which gave Clon an 8 point lead and some breathing space. Despite a late flurry from Coolmine which yielded a try, Clon had done enough to secure the victory, 15 points to 12. This result, coupled with Suttonians win against Ashbourne, meant that Clondalkin secured a very creditable 4th position in Leinster’s top rugby division and a place in next year’s All-Ireland Junior cup. Attention now switches to a first ever quarter final in the Town’s Cup against Tullamore which will be played in Gordon Park on Sunday 22 March.

Clondalkin RFC: C Maloney, J Kenny, K Kelly, S Brennan, M Doyle, S King (Capt), B Doyle, D Glennon, M Molloy, B Foran, N Nolan, P Nolan, D Jebb, E Delaney, A Dixon. Subs: A Collier, D Gaule, M Russell, C Cullen, N Finlay.

Final League table for Leinster League – Division 1A
Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	D	F	A	Diff	TF	TA	BP	Deductions	Pts
1	Dundalk	14	12	2	0	433	151	282	57	17	11	0	59
2	Enniscorthy	14	13	1	0	325	157	168	46	15	6	0	58
3	Monkstown	14	9	5	0	246	263	-17	25	32	4	0	40
4	Clondalkin	14	6	8	0	269	338	-69	29	42	5	0	29
5	Ashbourne	14	5	9	0	301	280	21	35	32	9	0	29
6	Suttonians	14	5	9	0	215	313	-98	26	39	5	0	25
7	Cill Dara	14	3	10	1	236	358	-122	29	47	7	0	21
8	Coolmine	14	2	11	1	166	331	-165	21	44	5	0	15