Delayed Article: Clondalkin 2nds (45) vs Gorey (3)

Provisional Seconds Towns Cup
Gordon Park Sunday 28th February
Clondalkin 45
Gorey 3
Jonny Stapleton


Clondalkin seconds ended their try scoring drought and booked their place in the second round of the prestigious Towns Cup with a feast of touch downs in Gordon Park last Sunday. Clon, who won their last two games 6-3 thanks to late Andy Tyndall penalties, gave up not scoring trys for Lent and crossed the white wash on five occasions in the second half to register a deserved and comfortable win.

The second string dominated from start to finish but struggled to turn pressure into to points in the opening period. After the turnaround however they got the try scoring Midas touch, ran riot and register a deserved emphatic victory.

A bright start saw Clondalkin, who are joint top of the league and have a North Midlands Cup final on St Patricks Day, take an early lead fittingly via the boot of Tyndall. They proceeded to dominate and literally destroyed their opposition upfront. The front eight, under the barking orders of scrum half Philly Byrne, were nothing short of immense and won every forward battle. The hosts however failed to take full advantage of superior territory and possession and struggled to extend their lead as various moves broke down at the last minute. Their supremacy was eventually reflected on the scoreboard when Peter Fitzgerald raced over to register a score that will stave off retirement for another week. The experienced winger benefited from more impressive forward play, a great Alleric Collier line break and a soft pass from his brother Paul Fitzgerald to register Clon's first try in three games. Tyndall converted a touch line hugging effort to push the lead to 10-0.

The hosts remained in the ascendancy, thanks in particular to some powerful front play, but they saw their lead decreased rather than extended as the visitors tacked on a penalty. The poor execution that plagued Clon's first half certainly wasn't present in the second as the Gordon Park side began to take the numerous chances they created. The first of five second half efforts, and the score that changed the tie, fittingly began thanks to some great pack play. Converted hooker Conor Caslin, who was brilliant at blindside, turned over possession against the odds in the opposition 22 before Dave Gaule raced home unopposed.

Peter Fitzgerald and Dave 'Dream Boat' Behan did their best forward impression moments latter to win a penalty that eventually lead to try number three. The pack got the try their play deserved when they mauled over after Tyndall sent the penalty down the line. The role reversal theme continued in the hosts next score as second row James Kenny broke from deep within his half before selling a beautiful dummy any back would be proud off and handing a receipt to the opposing winger before giving Paul Fitzgerald an easy finish from five yards.

Clon were unstoppable and it seemed every excursion forward was rewarded with a score. Their next touch down however came from a visiting mistake rather than any brilliant play of their own. Prop Ken McMahon pounced after a gory Gorey fumble and had enough time to kiss the 19 year old ball before he scored his first second team try in five years.

Substitute Bobby Smith followed his former underage coach on the score card just minutes later. The young prop powered over from just five yards after a mesmerising break from Mark Duggan and a brilliant turnover from the busy Ollie MeGraw.

Dan Fitzpatrick produced the moment of the match just before the final whistle but after literally bursting his way through the Gorey pack and making a length of the field dash before he was fouled by the substitute winger on the 5 metre line and dropped the ball. Many believe Dan knocked the ball on in true Dropper 2 style but this journalist will vouch for the fact that he was indeed fouled.

Added by Murts March 8, 2010 (3:25PM)

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