Match Report: Clondalkin 1st XV 26 vs 13 Cill Dara, Leinster League Division 1A
Clondalkin firsts secured their place in Division 1A for next season and made it four wins from four on the day for the adult mens teams with a telling 26-13 victory over Cill Dara. The bonus point win for the Gordon Park men see’s them rise to fifth in the league and a victory at Coolmine next weekend could see them secure AIL cup action next year if Suttonians can take the scalp of Ashbourne.
Playing in murky weather conditions the game between the sixth and seventh placed teams was never going to be one for the purists. The mucky conditions suited John Bagnalls men with forwards Paul Nolan, Sean Brennan, Simon King & Derek Glennon in particular licking their lips at the thoughts of a physical battle.
Clon got off the scoresheets early with Eoin Delaney opening the scores with an impressive burst of speed to leave the Cill Dara defense diving at his heels. Next up was emerging legend Matt Stapleton who galloped over from 70 metres out. Cill Dara knew they were fighting for their league survival and responded with a well worked try of their own. Next on the score sheet was diminutive scrum half Mark Molloy who is another member of the Clondalkin backline racing to his forties without any sign of losing the form that got him voted into the clubs list of all time legends. Cill Dara responded again to bring the score to 19-13 before Brian Doyle secured the bonus point win with a score late on.
Alaric Collier was almost certain he was the winner of the macaroon bar for the biggest hit of the day but the late late tackle from Andy Dixon will no doubt see Blue Wicked being honored at training this week.
Coach John Bagnall will no doubt be happy with his teams performance and in particular the depth that exists across the squad with all 4 senior teams registering wins on the day. Third choice outhalf Dave Gaule was deputising for Ben Foran, who was still suffering some of the effects of his defensive efforts against Gorey the week before and Chris Jebb having just returned from an oversea’s trip. Gaule rose to the challenge of the 10 jersey and put in a solid performance before being replaced by Foran on the 50 minutes mark. Another area of the game that would have pleasing Bago was the performance of the scrum with Conor Maloney, Brian Doyle and Kevin Kelly all showing that any perceived weakness at scrum time was just a perception with the trio dominating their opposite front row all day.
Next up for Clondalkin are the already relegated Coolmine who will no doubt be looking to leave Division 1A with their head held high and will be looking to damage Clondalkins chances of inclusion in next years AIL cup. This will no doubt be a fast paced physical game and will be worth the toll on the M50 next weekend so make sure to get across and support the boys.
(with thanks to the prolific Derek Murtagh)
