Clondalkin 4ths (12) vs Clontarf (8)

Article by Jonny Stapleton

Rugby debutant Eamon Hughes ensured yet another hard fought victory for a depleted Clondalkin Fourths as fortune for once favoured the brave in Gordon Park last Saturday.

Injuries and college exams meant Hughes and Chris Murray were forced to take their inaugural rugby test despite having just one training session under the belt. Both passed with flying colours and while Murray impressed with some big hits it was Hughes who stole the show crossing the white wash late on to secure victory for the hosts.

There may have been a touch of the Thierry Henrys in regards to the debutants try but the result was more than Clondalkin deserved after dominating most of the pulsating tie.

It was the third time Clondalkin have came from behind to secure a tight win but fourth team captain Jonny Hips was more impressed with the way the hosts responded from their defeat to Ternure the week previous.

It is another great win. Our spirit is really getting us there. I have no doubt we will hit the ground running and produce a bit of Carlos Spencer style rugby soon but our togetherness and fight are getting us over the line at present. I have to say a big thanks to Conor Maloney he has been great all year on and off the pitch as have Yambo and Aiden Delamere. It was a hard week for us after the heavy loss to a class Ternure side, but we they are a level above and we can beat anyone else in this league. I was very important to get a result and its great to see two new lads come on and impress. That is what the fourth team is about, Hips explained.

Clons pre game preparation left a lot to be desired but it didnt seem to hinder the Gordon Park sides early performance. From the off they set up lodgings in the opposition 22 but struggled to translate that pressure on the scoreboard.

Former underage star Ciaran Cross impressed with a number of barnstorming runs as did his fellow Round Tower club mate Paddy Lawlor but the final ball prevented Clon from going ahead.

John The Finisher Mooney had his mandatory direct and aggressive breaks for the line but his impressive runs lacked the finish.

The impressive, combative and versatile Kevin Dunphy, whose former tag team wrestling partner won the WWEs most prestigious crown in America on Sunday night, was immense at the break down and despite playing at scrum half was literally one of Clons best forwards of the first half.

A cumbersome Jonny Stapleton display made irrelevant fine work from Bobby Smith, Maloney, Paul OKeefe, Keith Berry and many more and the hosts eventually fell behind to a soft try.

Stapleton then should have put a Paddy Lawlor , who was suffering from his scoring antics from the night before, in for a score of the rugby kind but delayed with the pass and Clon went in behind at the turn around.

Maloney had an outburst, which was minute in comparison to Barnhalls door punching lung bursting lecture, at the break and it had the desired effect.

Clon increased the tempo after the turn around and threatened the Clontarf line regularly. Hughes had a sensational break down the wing while Cross and Lawlor continued to make yards. Maloney himself was also impressive in the tight as was relative newbee, Stephen Rowan, who also provided a great line out platform.

But once more it was Bobby Smith to the rescue scoring with an impressive break from the back of the scrum to register his fourth try in five fourth team games.

Paddy Lawlor tapped on the extras and Clondalkin took a two point lead.

Clontarf, however took advantage of some home complacency and after trying to unsuccessful to breach the home defence tapped over a soft penalty to regain the lead.

The visitors continued to push and were unlucky not to extend the advantage after knocking on, on the line as Clon took their foot of the pedal.

But just when it looked like things might transpire against the host, Hughes read a blindside move, intercepted, ignored knock on shouts and raced home to make it 12-8 in Clons favour.

The hosts were aggrieved and hit back with venum but with some brilliant defensive play from the likes of the Finisher, now standing not so tall and 7, Rowan, Smith, Maloney, a not so Red or Greasy Cullen amongst others Clon held out.

Added by Murts December 17, 2009 (6:33PM)

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