Annual Auction and Santa on 13th December

Clondalkins annual auction takes place in the club on Sunday 13th December. Both the firsts and seconds are scheduled for action on the day so it would be adviseable to get up early. Santa arrives in the club at 2.00pm and the auction kicks off at 4.00pm. The event is usually a great day and is the ideal oppurtunity for parents of the minis to see what the club has to offer from a social side.

Kevin Laide has requested that if anybody has anything worthwhile that they would like to contribute to the auction that it would be greatly appreciated. Kevin does be in the club Tuesday, Thursdays and Sundays so will be easily contactable. The auction is in aid of Don Bosco Teenage Care which is a worthy charity.

Comments (0) Added by Murts November 30, 2009 (4:09PM)

Message from Tommy Duffy

PLEASE,PLEASE will everyone PLEASE had back cards and monies for the fundraiser the return of cards this year has been poor to say the least. This Fundraiser raises vital funds for the running of YOUR club.
I would appreciate the return of cards, to either myself or Kevin Laide ASAP.hopefully with money, if not blank.
I will post a full list of senior members who participated in the fundraiser next week, to recognise the efforts some members have put in fundraising for Club Clondalkin.

Comments (0) Added by Murts November 5, 2009 (6:14PM)

Poll Results & New Poll

The winner of the 2nd preliminary round of the ultimate nickname is Tommy 'The Dropper' Duffy

Poll Results:
Jonny ‘The Hips’ Stapleton 41 Votes (41.8%)
John ‘Sid’ Stapleton 1 Vote (1%)
Eamonn ‘Yambo’ Stapleton 2 Votes (2%)
Oliver ‘The Red Mist’ Megrew 3 Votes (3%)
Tommy ‘The Dropper’ Duffy’ 51 Votes (52%)

The new poll is due up later today. Keep your eyes open for it.

Comments (0) Added by Murts November 2, 2009 (10:01AM)

Clondalkin 4ths (17) vs Malahide 3rds (32)

Fortune for once failed to favour the brave in Malahide last weekend as valiant Clondalkin fourth team effort wasn’t rewarded with a debut win.

The Gordon Park outfit fielded a fourth team in league action for the first time in their history, but due to a sequence of misfortunate events were prevented from marking the occasion with victory.

Both sides were evenly matched and as a result a keenly contested battled ensued, but a greater ability to punish opposition mistakes and a slice of luck enabled Malahide to finish the tie with an advantage on the scoreboard.

Despite a delay in kick off Clon were quick to impose themselves on the tie, however despite an impressive start in which they created two chances out wide they fell behind.

The hosts struck twice in quick succession-one of which was an allowed knocked on effort and the other emerging from disastrous Clon line out –and stumbled into a 12-0 advantage.

They may have been behind but Clon certainly were not out of the game, in fact they were going patches of dominance.

Jeff Cribon was registering some big hits and made redundant the opposition 8 with a bone crunching smash. Ciaran Brennan, who formed a solid midfield partnership Joey “the model’ Lovett, was living up to his “Rammers” nick name, barging deep into the ‘Hide half and causing havoc down the centers. Debutant was also solid and along with the likes of Ronan Minihan, Frank Lynham, Bobby Smith and the team in general was impressive.

The visitors then lost a bit of their early shape when injuries forced a major reshuffle, but dug deep and fought their way back into the tie.

The introduction of Derek Murtagh proved essential to the visiting revival and his first involvement inspired a brilliant Brennan finish.

The flanker emerged from the bench and broke the gain with his first touch before Brennan collected his off load and finished from 22 yards despite the attention of four would be tacklers.

Jonny Stapleton crossed the white wash from close range minutes after registering his first try in two years after Brennan once again made an impressive but unsuccessful attempt for the line.

The home side registered a penalty before the turn to extend their advantage by a further three leaving it 15-10 at the break.

Aware the first score after the break was essential Clon’s fourth string stated the second period well. They set up camp in the opposition half and began to test the home resolve.

However a failure to perform in the line out and ability to deliver clean ball literally dirtied severely their scoring chances.

Despite dominating Clon just couldn’t turn pressure into points and the hosts went further ahead when the managed the rugby of hitting the opposition on the break to go ten clear.

The visitors failed to give up however and once again attempted a coup at the lead and this time with a more successful result.

A chip and chase from Stapleton and a clever Murtagh turnover followed by some strong support play from Ged Nugent, Lynham and Steven McKenna eventually resulted in Bobby Smith crossing the line.

Teenager Smith, who was Clon’s chief ball carrier on the day and by far their most impressive player in both attack and defensive, powered over from 12 yards to put Clon within two.

At that stage it seemed like Clon’s fourth team were going to go on and beat the sea-siders third string and register a debut victory. However poor decision making and indiscipline gifted the hosts the chance to go on claim their first competitive win of the campaign.

Firstly Clon wasted the chance to put the ball deep into opposition territory by running instead of kicking a penalty before a decision to pursue revenge and the reemergence of Murtagh’s obsession with off the ball antics gifted the hosts a defining score.

‘Hide continued to out muscle the visitors in the rucks and finished the game strong and it wasn’t long before they scored again, albeit at fortunate effort.

Smith did make a late and impressive break but a lack of greed prevented him from registering a consolation score.

“It was a solid team performance and a proud day for the club. We were punished for our mistakes and were a little misfortunate but the players gave their all and proved they can be competitive at this level. The young lads coming through proved they are ready for the step up and they benefited from the experienced heads around them. That what this team is about and I would like all those for helping us make history today.”

Comments (0) Added by Murts October 28, 2009 (3:28PM)