Match Report: Clondalkin 4ths 38 vs 8 DLSP, Leinster Metro League Div 11, 21 February 2015
Clondalkin 4ths emerged from this weekends round of games at the top of the table for the first time all season following a convincing 35-8 victory over previous leaders DLSP on Saturday. The victory was hugely important in that it gives Clondalkin the chance to secure the all important home advantage for the league final if they can safely navigate a tough Stillorgan team this coming weekend.
Coach John Stapleton opted for an experienced starting line up with no fewer than 12 of the starting line up having advanced beyond their 30th birthday. The tactics paid dividend early on with the hardened forward pack dominating the collision area. With the pack giving go forward ball it allowed scrum half Philip Byrne to make one of his sniping runs from the base of the ruck to go over for the first try of the game.
DLSP came into the game as league leaders and responded to the first score of the game by setting up camp in the Clondalkin 22. Big defensive efforts from Steven Kenny, Paul Gifford and Bren Ward ensured they would not be granted any easy scores. However some sloppy hands in the ruck seen DLSP awarded a penalty on the 22. A momentary loss of concentration from the Clondalkin defense allowed the visitors to take a quick tap and go in for an easy score.
Clon never looked back from this point in the game and used Dropper Duffy and Steven Tyndall as battering rams to soften up the DLSP defense. With several DLSP players winded after one of Duffys carries, Phily Byrne again managed to snipe from the base of the ruck and go in for his second try of the game.
Clon started to get the upper hand all over the pitch and some beautiful interplay between Ronan Cooper and Dave Shirley opened up acres of space for Conor Steed. However Steedser is certainly no longer a speedster and the promising period of play ended with only a few metres gained. Clon entered the break 15-8 up.
DLSP surely would have expecting a team with a 54 year old prop and five other players well into their forties to wilt in the second half. However Eamonn Stapleton, fresh from picking up his player of the year award the night before, seemed intent on putting in a vintage performance of tackling in front of his on watching son and current first team star, Matt. Turns out Matt is literally following in his fathers footsteps with the younger Stapleton sharing his fathers fondness for physical rugby along with his taste for dodgy shoes.
Stephen Tyndall was next on the score sheet following a well controlled maul. Clons star studded backline contained no fewer than 5 first teamers from the noughties but they were largely kept out of the game from an attacking point of view with Clons dominant pack making yards in close and the fact Phily was chasing his hatrick from 20 minutes into the game. Steven Kenny went over for the fourth try of the game after Bren Ward had somehow managed to steal a lineout with his feet.
The game was well and truely up and Sid had long emptied the bench when the Finisher went over for the final try. DLSP were full of praise for Clondalkins veteran front row and could not believe Tom Duffy was capable of such a performance at 54 years of age. Their management were left somewhat shocked when Barney pointed out to them that CC was the 54 year old holding the scrum together and that the Dropper is still a few years shy of his 40th.
Clon will look forward to next weeks Stillorgan game in the knowledge that a win there will see them finish the ordinary season at the top of the table.
(With thanks to Derek Murtagh)
