Fathers Eyes

Fathers Eyes

Clondalkin U15s V Terenure U 15s

Gordon pk Sunday 17th October

Clons future super stars had a rather unsettled approach to this fixture , as Terenure arrived with only 9 players . Clons coaches had a brief discussion , where it was agreed that rugby should be the only winner in this fixture and so after a fast transfer . Darragh Bruton , Lennon Reynolds and Nathan Hayes lined out for the Terenure team .

The performance of all three was complimented by both coaches. Darragh's strong running and hand offs to would be tacklers was a constant source of go forward ball for the "Nure" . Lennon and Nathan's rucking was strong and determined and both showed often in open play .

The first score of the day came from Clondalkin's youngest and tallest player . Craig Black playing at # 8 in a reduced scrum that had no flankers , Black, whose brother plays for the 19s, was rampant off the base of the scrum . And his score came from a typical galloping run , with would be defenders failing to stop his certain score .

The conversion was chipped over by Stephen Bracken leading to a 7:0 start . As the conversion was sailing thru the uprights , his father and our current vice-president was heard to say "i thought him that "....yeah you wish !!!!. However this was not a one sided game and Terenure struck back through there classy centre , JJ touched down almost without a hand been placed on him by the Clon defenders . The score stayed at 7 : 7 for the next 20 mins where both teams exchanged territory. Clons scrum was solid with big performances from Thomas McGovern and Mikey Warner at prop and Scott Dean at hooker , they were supported from the second row by Lee Bond and returning from injury Alex Rodgers . It was a huge source of pride for the Clon coaches that the rucking had improved greatly from there last lost game away to Barnhall . The Clon forwards were rucking in numbers and directly over the ball ! Robert Hayes commented with ... " see they do listen ". Terenure secured the next score 7 : 14 and now Clon were under serious pressure. However with the only sign of panic and nerves coming from the parents on the sideline , the players focused on the tasks that they were set by there coaches . Tackling , rucking and passing were the key targets that they had been set and this was the corner stone of the improved performance that led to 2 quick Clondalkin tries .

Halftime came with a score line of 17 : 14 . Shane Dunne and Rob Hayes explained again the simple game plan to the players, whether the game plan was simple for the players benefit or so the coaches themselves could understand it , we don't know but the targets that they wanted achieved were, win your own tackles and rucks , and the passing must be accurate .

The second half performance reflected a huge improvement, which was very necessary as Terenure themselves came out with much more ambition and effort . Captain for the day, Thomas Ankers at scrum half was giving his opposite number James o Connor a difficult time at rucks and scrums . His service to outhalf Josh Dunne was speedy and accurate with his pass been similar to a young Peter Stringer, Josh son of coach Shane Dunne normally plays in the forwards , but put in a confident performance at outhalf and used many of the training park moves that are practiced so often on the Wednesday and Friday nights . With Josh , Darren Madden and Thomas Duffy in the centres this was a Clon team that was set up for strong tackling in the three quarter line . This was a vast improvement on the Barnhall display, the tackling from Darren and Thomas Duffy was effective every time , after one of these swift ankle tackles by Thomas his father was heard to state " i thought him that " well done dropper!.

The lineouts at this level have no - lifting and so are often a lottery , however Clondalkin took the greater percentage of the ball on offer . This was down to the arieal efforts of Lee , Alex and Craig .The Clon ball seemed most secure at the front , with Mikey been especially safe hands The Clon scrum was further strengthened when Shane O Brien came on and slotted in at hooker . Lioneout ball was called to the front and Shane took it safely, he made ground before been tackled and presented the ball on a plate , once again the statement came from the side line "i thought him that" ..... this time it was Marty O Brien . The score board started to grow in the Clon favour , it could have been bigger if Clon had been able to release their wingers Ross Beacom and Stephen Ryan, tries did come through from Darren Madden and the returning Alex Rodgers before a quick dart and touch down by outhalf Josh Dunne which led to the now familiar statement from his father "i thought him that"... we doubt it!!! .

The score board was healthy at 34 : 14 but the last score of the day went to the tallented boys of Terenure the conversion was missed to leave the final score at 34 : 19 , this late score was put down to poor fitness on the Clon side however the one player that was in support of the last Terenure score was Nathan Hayes who was showing a display in rucking and support play that promted his father to say "i thought him that" .... well done june !!!

As to how accurate the proud fathers were in there confident statement of "i thought him that " the author can not comment . What was more factual rather than fantasy was the obvious improvement in the players skills .The passing has been drilled into the players every nite and the improvement was evident today .The tackling has also progressed, but this is one area that the coaches will have to put much more effort into, as further progress is required .However the most obvious success story so far is the rucking , Clondalkin not only won ther own rucks but counter rucked Terenure off there own ball many times . This positive must be shared with the parents , so well done Emmett Warner , Dave Black and Gregg Beacom , as it is there holding of the ruck bags and been the targets for their sons pent up aggression that has helped in this skill been practiced .The U15s train every Wednesday and Friday

Added by admin October 19, 2010 (4:12PM)

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