A determined Clondalkin U-17 side saw off Athy in emphatic fashion in this first round match of the Culliton Plate, held in Athy on Saturday 1st March.
Having lost to Athy over the past two seasons, Clondalkin were in a mood to gain revenge over their bogey team at this level in particular for last season’s semi-final loss. The away side had come out on the losing side in some very tight matches this season but have been playing at a higher level than previously. In the end, Clondalkin won quite easily against a severly depleted Athy side and scored a total of 7 tries in the process. Lennain Williams led the way with a good catch of the kick-off followed by a strong stepping run return that gained many yards & put Athy immediately on the back foot. This was a regular feature from Williams as the game progressed who has been very effective with ball in hand all season.
The first try from Clondalkin was the pick of the bunch as it entailed several strong carries Craig Black, Paddy Adelle & Julian Crouse to get into the Athy 22. From there a beauty of a cross field kick from Stephen Bracken was well collected by Thosh to give a simple touch down. The points were added from a difficult conversion . The restart saw Williams again making hard yards up the middle, ably supported by Black and Barney Carron. Successive big carries followed from the Darrens (Madden and Bruton), Mikey Warner & Aaron Donnelly. Athy were stretched and Bracken cleverly changed direction to the poorly defended narrow side & sent Cian O’Brien in for a sweet try.
Two further first half tries came from Bracken and Black. However, ill-discipline from Clondalkin tested the referees patience and after a series of penalty offences, he produced a yellow card and reduced the away team to 14 men for persistent infringements.
The 2nd half was a very loose affair but was notable for three further tries for Clondalkin, the pick of them coming from Adelle – in his first ever season of rugby, this was Paddy’s debut try on which he had work to do to finish, but the squad belief now is that the floodgates are about to open from him. Fittingly Bracken converted from the touch line. The others came from Black & Madden who was unlucky not to get a 2nd from another pinpoint Bracken cross field.
The Quater Final is now likely on Saturday 15th at home against either Edenderry or Longford.
Clondalkin U-17 Squad: Mark Ryan, Mikey Warner, DarDar Madden, Lennain Williams, Aaron Byrne-Leonard; James “Barney” Carron, Aaron Donnelly, Craig Black; Cian O’Brien, Stephen Bracken; Paddy Adele, Darren Madden, Julian Crouse, Thomas Duffy, James Farrell. Darragh Bruton, Luke, Johnny Flanagan, Amin Ismial.
