A resilient 1st half performance laid the foundations for a Clondalkin win in this Leinster 2nds League Match, played in atrocious conditions in Cill Dara on Friday 7th February.
In weather that drove away all but the most hard-core of rugby fans, Clondalkin began the first half of this match under lights playing against the full force of a gale wind. After just 3 minutes, the outlook looked even bleaker as Dan Fitzpatrick went down to a bad leg injury which required significant on-pitch treatment before he was stretchered off. Play resumed after a 25 minute pause and Clondalkin kept Cill Dara at bay with some resolute tackling, before Cill Dara went ahead, 6 points to the good after 2 successful penalty kicks. In an increasingly niggly game, Clondalkin replied with a 3 pointer from Dave Gaule but went into half time 9-3 down after Cill Dara scored a further penalty.
It was Cill Dara’s turn to battle against the wind in the 2nd half, a task they took to with increasingly poor humour as Clondalkin’s Conor McCrea quickly went over for his sides first try, successfully converted by Gaul. Conditions meant that ball handling became ever more difficult for both sides and a Cill Dara fumble in midfield was pounced upon by Colm Tigue who slid over from 5 meters out to register Clondalkin’s second try of the night. At this stage, the referee lost patience with the home team and following a brief scuffle, he showed two yellow cards to Cill Dara to reduce them to 13 men for 10 minutes. The away team were well in control of the match during this period and after a trademark break down the blind side from a scrum, Mark Molloy went over the line for Clondalkin’s third try, which was duly converted. Despite applying constant pressure for the remaining 5 minutes of the match, Clondalkin were unable to cross the line again for the bonus point score and the match closed out 9 – 24 for an away team win.
Clondalkin must take credit for playing highly-effective rugby in terrible conditions and also in not responding to some of the more questionable tactics of the home team. Mentions to the excellent play of Gareth Black, John Walsh and try-scorer Conor McCrea on the night for a win which sees Clondalkin just 2 points off the pace in the league and an away fixture against Wanderers up next who sit one place above them. The win however was marred by the injury to Dan Fitzpatrick and all in Clondalkin RFC wish him the very best for a speedy and full recovery.
