On one of the coldest and wettest days of the season, Clondalkin’s 3rd string were on a mission to avenge an away defeat against AIB earlier in the league campaign. Thus, the Clondalkin pack were well motivated for the encounter and their initial aggression was rewarded when Hugh Curran finished off some excellent forward interplay to cross for the first score of the game. Unfortunately, the conversion came back off the cross bar and by a further stroke of bad luck, outhalf Colin Lyon’s second attempt at the posts from a penalty kick had the same end result.
Once again, the Clondalkin forward pack exerted strong pressure and when the ball was flashed wide, Fergus Breen showed great strength and determination to force his way over the line, only for the referee to call play back for an earlier infringement. Undoubtedly aggrieved with this outcome, the home team continued to apply pressure on AIB and when Fergus Breen evaded the AIB defence for the second time to dot down under the posts, the referee had no option but to award a clear try. Colin Lyons managed to avoid the crossbar with this, his third kick at goal to add the extra two points.
The ever-competitive Padraig Long had set the tone for Clondalkin in the first half with some penetrating ball carries and the introduction of fresh legs after half-time paid quick dividends as scrum half Owen Brady crossed the whitewash, with the subsequent conversion drifting wide. Following this score, holes began to appear in the Clondalkin defence as the home team took their foot off the gas. Perseverance from AIB brought them their first try of the match which they failed to convert, to leave the score 17 points to 8. Aroused back into action and despite the wet and windy conditions, Clondalkin showed confidence and no little skill to move the ball through the backline and just rewards were achieved when Colin Lyons scored a try beneath the posts which he successfully converted. This was the final score of the game which the home team closed out 24 points to 8. This result was a welcome win for Clondalkin who have had a difficult season in Metro Division 7 where the 3rd XV’s of the senior clubs of Old Belvedere and Old Wesley ply their trade and indeed both sit at the head the table.
Clondalkin 3rds XV: Adam Brown, Olly McGraw, Darren Moore, Mick Reynolds, Hugh Curran, Jay Radcliffe, Mark O’Rourke, Padraig Long, Kieran Murphy, Colin Lyons (captain), Graham McCarthy, Owen Foster, Alan Doyle, Fergus Breen, Ray Connor. Subs: Eoin Brady, Luke Sweetman, Anthony Byrne, Richie Doyle.
