Clondalkin Women Keep on Winning

Mullingar (0) vs Clondalkin (12)
Article by Eugene Noble
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In a most competitive match played against a previously unbeaten Mullingar RFC, the Clondalkin Womens Rugby team emerged victorious to maintain their own 100% record in the Leinster League Division 4. Taking to the pitch with at least 4 of the regular starting 15 unavailable due to injury, many of the team were playing in positions that were new to them but in typical fashion all buckled down and made those positions as if they were their own. Clondalkin thought that they had breeched the Mullingar defence at last after 17 minutes when centre Sara Phelan touched down under the posts after a meandering run through the opposition only for the referee to deem that she had crossed the dead ball line. The nerves of the sizeable watching crowd were finally eased when centre Therese Grogan showed her strong running prowess by touching down under the post at the stroke of half time. As outhalf Sara Phelan successfully converted, the referee blew the half time whistle.

Turning round with the stiffening breeze on their backs, Clondalkin suffered a major setback just two minutes after the restart when full back Ciara 'Newbe' Lennon felt the full weight of an opposition player on her neck. The emergency services were called and Ciara was carefully removed to the Accident and Emergency unit in Tallaght Hospital were she was thankfully later released after tests with the knowledge that she was going to have a sore neck in the morning.

A major reshuffle followed with Gwen McKeever, already suffering from sore ribs, bravely took to the pitch to fill the hooker position allowing her sister, Emma, to move to centre and Therese Grogan to move to full back. Soon after Therese narrowly missed adding to her try tally with a well judged kick and follow on but once again the referee did not award a try indicating that Therese was standing over the dead ball line when touching down the ball. Clondalkin finally got the reward their efforts deserved 5 minutes from the end when Sara Phelen touched down on the right wing, leaving the final score at 12 to 0.

In what was her last match prior to leaving on her world travels, Laura Murphy playing as captain, praised the tremendous efforts of her players and also passed on the compliments of the referee who was very much impressed with the composure that the team displayed in face of many challenges. A job really well done!

Added by Murts October 12, 2010 (11:05AM)

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