This was the first time, for this squad over 4 seasons, that Clondalkin won a match against Cill Dara, & managed to do so without their injured Captain, Darren Ginger Madden. In his absence the team was well led by Darren “DarDar” Madden. However it should also be noted that Cill Dara had 2 of their squad on Leinster duty, so they will be stronger next time.
For the 3rd game in a row Clondalkin started well & had the better of the opening exchanges. After a period of pressure, no. 10 Stephen Bracken (who had a fine game) coolly slotted a long range drop goal to get some score board reward. Dara came roaring back with several strong attacks which were repelled by stout defence from the likes of Aaron Donnelly, the debutant Gareth Flanagan, Scott Dean & Craig Black, & a massive blind site text book hit by Dar Dar when an overlap looked likely. There was also some luck when the ref correctly called Dara for a double movement just short of the line.
Towards the end of the half, Bracken’s excellent out of the hand kicking put the Dara defence in serious bother, compounded by a great follow up hit by “new to rugby” Paddy Adeyele which caused the ball to pop free for a great score by James Farrell. The touch line conversation went narrowly wide to give Clon an 8-0 half time lead. However the intensity of the game had the Clon sideline looking like a November A&E with blood, bandages & ice everywhere as nurses Michell Madden & David Black tried to clear the backlog of knocks.
The 2nd half again began quite evenly, but suddenly, as is prone to happen, Clon imploded. The fightback was lead by the dancing Dara no. 9 & some very soft Clon tackling. In a short spell Dara had 3 converted tries to turn 8-0 into 8-21 & which seemed like a “deja vue” repeat of the last meeting between these sides. The discipline disappeared amongst much finger pointing & toy throwing. However in fairness the on field leaders calmed the waters & Clon came roaring back just like in the April game. Big carries by Craig, Scott, Mikey Warner, Byrnsey & Lennain, was followed by good clearouts & another probing kick by Bracken had the sideline cheering for Paddy’s first ever try only for the late arriving ref to not award it as he hadn’t seen the ball grounded. Correct “legal” interpretation however unjust everyone felt. With only 5 mins left it looked a big decision, but from the next play there was a big carry by Darragh Bruton up the middle, a great wrap around with quick accurate hands from Bracken to Farrell to send Josh “the finisher” Worrell (3 games & 3 tries) over in the corner to make in an 8 point game with 3 mins to go. Bracken nailed the difficult conversation to make it a one score 6 point game.
From the restart Clon roared back, recycled accurately with James Murphy zipping the ball away, Scott had a go for the line but wisely resisting the double movement temptation to instead protect the ball whereupon the previously bloodied Karl Hickey dived over to slam dunk a try. Dara protested but the decisions (see Paddy) evened out & try given. With time up “no pressure then” as Bracken lined up final kick of the game. Ball straight through the posts (ball hasn’t been seen since) for a memorable win by 1 point.
Oh the difference in the feeling between the narrowly failed April comeback & this time round. A beaming coach Robert Hayes praised the team for regrouping & getting the job done this time. Selecting the man of the match was difficult. The returning Thomas McGovern won an ocean of ball on the deck, Mark Ryan scrummed strongly & Aaron Kelly ran the lineout & fielded numerous kicks well. In the end it went to Mikey Warner for his refusing to allow Dara push him about & instead he horsed the opposition out of Clon’s space, but could have just as easily gone to 7 or 8 others in what was ultimately, one blip period aside, a great squad performance.
