Match Report: Clondalkin 39 vs 13 Tullamore, Leinster Provincial Towns Cup Quarter Final, 22 March 2015
A storming 2nd half performance against Tullamore saw Clondalkin break new ground and claim a first ever semi-final place in the Leinster Provincial Towns Cup on Sunday 22nd March. The day was set for running rugby with a hard ground, warm sunshine and a just the hint of a breeze in Gordon Park. Nevertheless, the first half turned out to be a relatively tight affair. Clon had the chance to open the scoring after 10 minutes but Matt Stapleton’s kick drifted wide. The home team’s set plays were creating problems for Tullamore who were under pressure in the scrum and conceded 30 metres in a driving maul after 12 minutes. Clon’s first points came when Ben Foran’s cross field kick fell into the welcoming arms of Barry Mulloy who touched down but unfortunately Stapleton couldn’t add the extras. Tullamore replied with a penalty kick of their own before Stapleton replied to leave the scores 8-3 approaching half-time. With the clock marking injury time, a quick tap and go penalty gave Ben Foran the chance to score in the corner but a last-ditch tackle was enough to deny a try.
Bruiser not for stopping
The second half commended where it left off for the home team and after just 3 minutes, Niall Nolan was put over under the posts and with the conversion added, Clon had extended the lead to 15 – 3. The action was coming thick and fast as Tullamore responded with their first try after good handling saw them break out of defense and score in the corner. The conversion was missed and Clon’s lead was now just 7 points but it didn’t remain so for long. James Kenny made a powerful break through the centre and after some pick and drives had seen Clon go close, Kenny took the ball over the whitewash himself to stretch the score to 22-8 with Stapleton’s conversion. Clon had both possession and territorial advantage but a mis-communication on an attacking lineout saw Tullamore break 60 yards down-field and claim a good penalty chance to narrow the gap on the scoreboard, but this drifted wide. Stapleton didn’t miss however just 2 mintues later when a monster 55 yard kick from just inside the Clon half bisected the posts – the lead now 25 points to 8. Brian Bruiser Doyle was next on the scoresheet for Clon as he charged home from 30 yards out after the visitors turned over possession in midfield. Again Tullamore responded quickly to score their second try of the match to bring their total to 13 points but this was to be their last points of the game.
Russell puts Kenny away for his 2nd try
With just two minutes on the clock, Mikey Russell drew the defensive cover before his outside pass released the excellent Kenny to score in the corner, his second try of the match and Stapleton once again stepped up to add the extras. Full time whistle and a 39-13 win which sees a semi-final match against Kilkenny to be held in Carlow, 3pm on Easter Sunday.
There is no let-up for Clondalkin’s first team as they have the Hosie Cup final to look forward to between now and then – kick off away against North Kildare 2:30pm on Saturday 28th March. Speaking after the Tullamore win, Captain Simon King was happy with the result but felt there was still room for improvement for the challenges ahead:
“We’re happy with the win, but still not satisfied with aspects the performance. We need to be more accurate and clinical in our execution. We have Kilkenny in the next round, and we know they are more than capable of punishing the mistakes we made. I thought our attitude for the game was incredible but we need to bring it with us into the coming weeks and not let the momentum we’ve built up slip. The next job is the Hosie Cup Final, so we need to refocus for what will be tough game against a very good North Kildare outfit.”
Clondalkin 1st XV: Brian Doyle, James Kenny, Kevin Kelly, Marcus Doyle, Sean Brennan, Simon King (Capt.), Paul Nolan, Derek Glennon, Mark Molloy, Ben Foran, Barry Mulloy Andy Dickson, Matt Stapleton, Niall Nolan, Ali Collier Subs: David Gaule, Conor McCrea, Ciaran Cullen, Mikey Russell, Neil Finlay.
