Clondalkin came out on the pitch focused on the task at hand in this local derby against Tallaght on Saturday 22nd February. From the kick off the home side made good use of the strong wind to pin Tallaght back into their own half with some accurate kicking into the corners. From the resulting pressure, Darren Moore barged his way over the for the first score of the game despite the attention of three defenders. Unfortunately for Clondalkin, the conversion from Ray Connor drifted wide.
Clondalkin failed to capitalize on a series of penalties that Tallaght conceded and a change of pace from the away side saw winger Stephen Heaney go over for a well worked try. Ciaran Stewart converted to put Tallaght ahead by two points. Colin Lyons, fresh into the game slotted over a penalty to put Clondalkin back into the lead that is the way the score would stay until the second half. After half time, and despite playing against the wind Clondalkin picked up the pace and constant infringement left the ref with little option but to yellow card replacement Simon Cumiskey. The home team took advantage and full back Ray Connor went over in the corner after some nice interplay. Colin Lyons missed the extra two points but made amends minutes later when he kicked over another penalty to make it 16 to 7 to Clondalkin. A late rally from Tallaght had the home team worried as they went over for an unconverted try to make it 16 to 12 – with a tense and nail biting finish this was to be the final score with Clondalkin making amends for their defeat earlier in the season to the same opposition.
Clondalkin 3rd XV: Ray Connor, Johnathan Edgeworth, Eoin Foster, Richard Doyle, Ciaran Murphy, Colin Lyons, Darach Finnegan, Conor McAuley, Adam Brown, Darren Moore, Padraig Long, Hugh Curran, Jason Radcliffe, Mark O’Rourke. Roary Dunne
Subs: Michael Reynolds, Daryl Bailey, Ronan Cooper, Jack Holland Stephen Ryan
