Match Report: Clondalkin 3rd XV 30 vs 16 Cill Dara, Leinster 2nds League Division 1A
Clondalkin seconds overcame bitter rivals Cill Dara by a score of 30-16 at home this weekend. Coach Dan Fitzpatrick fielded a strong starting 15 and the team began the game with serious intent. Playing uphill and against the wind the home side were expecting to be under pressure for the first forty minutes but a standout defensive performance from the King of Clonmel John Walshe ensured Clon never spent too long on in their own 22 in the first half.
The first score of the game was set up by Colum Tighe bursting from inside his own 22 all the way to the visiting sides 22 before being hauled down only metres shy of the line. A hurried defensive kick from saw Clon with a lineout deep in opposition territory. A superb take from the jumping prop Tom McGrattan allowed the renowned Condalkin maul get rolling. Colum Tighe was rewarded for his excellent break moments earlier by being the man at the back of the maul who grounded the ball following a dominant walk by the Clondalkin pack.
Next on the score sheet was Dara Ward who went in unchallenged under the posts following some neat interplay between the backs and forwards. Clon were starting to get into their grove despite the strong wind and it looked as though they would put a heavy score on their opposition. However, the untimely loss of Walsh to injury gave Cill Dara the opportunity to spend some time in Clondalkin territory. Steve Cunningham and Sin Bin Ste put up a brick wall defense in the 10/12 channel but Cill Daras pack were able to sneak around some lax defending at the base of the ruck to leave the halftime scores 15-8.
The introduction of former Leinster underage player Bobby Smyth bolstered Clons attacking presence at the start of the second half with the Bouncer living up to his name and bouncing several players to the ground with his first carry of the game. This caused panic in the Cill Dara defense and a Beartastic show and go from Kevin Cullen allowed the supporting Gary Geoghan go in for the third try of the game.
Cill Dara responded to bring the score to 25-16. However any chance they had of getting a foothold in the game seemed slim as Stevey Cunninghams rifle boot ensured Clondalkin maintained the lions share of territory for the game and the solid defensive efforts led by none other than scrum half Dara Ward ensured that any possession they enjoyed was kept to within their own 22.
The final score of the game came from Bobby Smyth with the Bouncer handing off the Dara number 8 before stepping their 10 and charging over their 12 for a well deserved bonus point victory.
The win was an early birthday present for coach Dan Fitzpatrick who was in flying form after the game and had this to say on the win “this game is the start of our push for the Towns Cup. We have Coolmine next weekend and if we can get the win there, then we have the chance to finish fifth in the table which will show we have form ahead of a tough game against Balbriggan”.
(with thanks to Derek Murtagh)
