Clondalkin 1sts (15) vs Gorey (24)

.Clondalkin first team coach Paul 'Hitch' Haycock announced his Christmas wish list after last Sundays home loss to Gorey with an end to the recent injury woes being the top of his list.

Clon went down by a score of 24-15 to a very much improved Gorey side but will be kicking themselves for coughing up yet another game to mid table opposition. This loss makes the task of automatic promotion look very much a dream for the Gordon Park boys.

Gorey registered their first try of the game early following some good work from their forwards and a few missed tackles from the usually solid Clondalkin defense. Clon responded soon after with a Chris Jebb penalty to make the score 7-3.

However, it appeared that the Gorey side wanted the game more and won collision after collision in the first half and were able to start playing their type of game on Clondalkins home patch. Their rough housing tactics seemed to have an impact on some of Clondalkins usually tough players with one or two seen running away from confrontation after being hit late or off the ball.

Gorey were able to keep the scoreboard ticking over, something Clondalkin were unable to do with the usually sublime Chris Jebb, missing two penalties that he would usually kick 99 times out of 100. Jebb who along with Brian 'Bruiser' Doyle has been Clondalkins stand out players this season was having a tough first half. However, Clondalkins chances of victory were hampered further when Doyle himself showed signs of being mere mortal, going down with a number of injuries throughout the game.

Clons pack began responding well in the second half and were rewarded with a penalty try after Gorey brought down a scrum on their try line, one which started over 10metres out.

Gorey responded with a try of their own taken by their man of the match fullback. Clon tried to respond further but more injury woe followed when captain Dan Fitzpatrick took a punch to the ear, the signs of which were evident to all at Thursdays training session. The picture below was taken during after training.























Gorey and Clon traded tries to bring the score 21-15. Clons try was a piece of brilliance from Chris Jebb. Its a sign of the how good this player is that even when he's off form he can register two thirds of Clons scores. Clon pushed hard for the try that would win the game but their enthusiasm meant Gorey were awarded a penalty to close the game out at 24-15.

In order for Clondalkin to gain promotion this term they now need to win every game between now and May. This feat is without doubt a big challenge but is not impossible for what must be one of the most well rounded Clondalkin squads in the clubs history.

The Christmas break means that Clons bruised and battered players can now take time to recoup and recover. Hopefully first team regulars John Nolan, Phily Byrne, Simon King, Andrew Dixon and Kev Kelly will be available come the new year.

Added by Murts December 18, 2009 (12:55PM)

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