Ladies Lose out in Tough Cup Battle
Weather having put paid to a scheduled friendly, it was four weeks since the Women had their last game, so it was always going to be interesting to see if they could hold onto the great form they had shown at the end of the league. The Tullow Women’s team however, having spent most of the season unbeaten until their dramatic League Final loss (0-5 v CYM) a few weeks ago, came to Gordon Park no doubt intent on putting that behind them. Despite their formidable nature, it took them a full 20 minutes to break down a spirited Clondalkin side when they managed to create an overlap on the far side of the pitch. In the windy conditions the majority of the first half was played in the centre of the pitch with both teams’ defences being challenged. There was a lot of tough rucking and a number of turnovers but the contest was relatively even. The defensive trio of Siobhan Tierney, Emma Fox and Sara Phelan made it difficult for Tullow to get any back line moves working. Coming close to half time, Clondalkin made it 5-5 when on field Captain Fiona Tighe caught the Tullow defence napping. Being awarded a free kick just inside the Tullow half, she made the best of a quick tap and go and sprinted past rows of surprised Tullow players. Tullow came back though and managed to break through once more on the stroke of half time to make it 5-10. The kick was too far for the conversion taker.
The second half started with Tullow dominating possession and they spent a significant period camped out on the Clondalkin 5 metre line. Some fantastic defending kept them at bay phase after phase, with bodies literally being put on the line, but eventually they broke through to make it 5-15 about 15 minutes in. It wasn’t a day for the kickers with the conversion again missed from a tight angle. The battle continued and both sides had chances to break through but it wasn’t until Sara Phelan broke down the near touchline did we see another score. Managing to fend off at least three Tullow players, she dotted down in the near corner. The Clondalkin outhalf unfortunately couldn’t convert from the tight angle but Clondalkin were back in it at 10-15 and about 15 minutes to go. Another period of back and forth in mid field saw possession change hands a number of times but in the last 5 minutes Tullow’s dominance began to show when they managed two tries in the space of 5 minutes. The last try yielded a conversion and the score was 10-27 going into the last minute of the game. Not to be disheartened, Clondalkin continued on and in what was probably the best piece of play of the game, managed to work a final try from their own half. A series of pop passes in midfield followed by another dazing run by Sara Phelan, was capped off by excellent support play by Niamh Farrelly who got over the line.
Final score Clondalkin 15 vs Tullow 27. While the result was disappointing the Women will take heart from their performance against a tough side and continue onto the Plate competition in two weeks’ time.
(with thanks to AnnMarie Whelan)
