Women’s Team Edge Out CYM for Place in Paul Flood Plate Final
When these two sides met last year in Paul Flood Cup, CYM progressed on a 24-22 score line after extra time. This season’s league games also saw one win each so this was always expected to be a relatively even contest. We’re not sure anyone expected it to be this close though as the Clonettes took it with an 18-17 scoreline.
Clondalkin got out of the blocks first and put significant pressure on the CYM defensive line which was pinned back to the CYM half for the first 10 minutes. The pressure yielded a very kickable penalty just inside the 22 which Naomi Fynes duly slotted over. It took another 20 minutes though for a second score to register with both teams battling it out in midfield. Possession changed hands a number of times and windy conditions made lineouts difficult. In open play, however, the Clondalkin forwards showed a willingness to carry and short bursts from the likes of Niamh McDonnell and Claire Winters gained yards. But it was another dazing run by centre Sara Phelan that broke through the CYM defence to get the first try of the game in the far corner. The conversion was too tight an angle to convert.
From there Clondalkin were unlucky not to have more points on the board after great support running between Brid Holohan and Aine Heffernan got them close to the CYM 5 metre line. Coming up to half time though Sara Phelan got over the line for a second in a fantastic team try from inside the Clondalkin half. Scrum half Niamh Farrelly exploited a gap off a ruck and ran through a number of players. Prop Irene Tshiamala also went on a storming run which gained at least ten metres. Clean rucking allowed Clondalkin to set up for the back line and ultimately Sara Phelan grappled with the last defender to ensure the ball touched down. CYM came back and spent the remaining time of the half in the 22. They didn’t manage to break through but did force a penalty in front of the posts which their kicker converted without much difficulty. That made it 13-3 at half time.
Fantastic pressure, from kick off, by chasing runners like Nicola Smyth and Siobhan Tierney forced a knock on close to the CYM 22. From the scrum, Clondalkin patiently went through the phases until Niamh Farrelly executed a fantastic pick and go off a ruck inside the 5 metre line. It was exactly what the scrum half deserved for her solid performance despite having received a suspected broken nose (later in the half she was forced off after a second impact). Again, the conversion was too tight an angle but at 18-3 the Clonettes appeared to be cruising. Unfortunately, that didn’t last too long and CYM gallantly fought back to get two tries in the space of 6 minutes. Less certainty from Clondalkin and a number of unforced errors made life difficult and allowed CYM to grow into the game. Clean passing out their back line allowed them to gain ground and they became more and more confident in running at the Clondalkin line. Injuries to a number of Clondalkin players in quick succession didn’t help either particularly as CYM capitalised on one such distraction to plough through and under the posts. Both conversions were skilfully converted by the CYM kicker to bring the game to 18-17 with more than 20 minutes remaining.
CYM kept the pressure on and Clondalkin had to rely on a smashing tackle into touch by Sara Phelan and similarly a try saving tackle by Ciara Lennon to keep CYM out. Eventually they were rewarded with what appeared to be a relatively straight forward penalty but the kicker skewed it wide. CYM kept coming and made it difficult for Clondlakin to get out of the half. With a few minutes to go in normal time CYM attempted a drop goal attempt out of nowhere – again it skewed wide. It was a major let off but there was still time left on the clock as time began to rival the France v Wales saga. In what was a great match for the neutrals, the Clondalkin supporters found it hard going but eventually the whistle sounded.
The Clondalkin Women’s team will now face Suttonians in the Paul Flood Plate Final on 22nd April 2017 at Donnybrook Stadium. Kick-off is expected to be 1pm and all support is encouraged.
