Final Festival off to a bad start

Jonny Stapleton

Scully J4 Cup
Portlaois (8) vs Clondalkin (5)

Clondalkin Rugby Club’s final festival week got off to a disappointing start after the third team were piped at the Scully Cup post by Portlaoise in a tense and tight Sunday decider. The defending champions battled hard throughout and dominated for large periods but were eventually undone by a try that came via blocked down clearance mid way through the second half.

Clondalkin will feel a little aggrieved after they crossed the white wash on no fewer than six occasion only to have each effort deemed held up. The visiting Clon third string also had two efforts disallowed either side of the turn around. However, with three more senior Clondalkin finals still to come in what is a historic week for the club, the thirds have the perfect chance to drown their sorrows by claiming and drinking from three more cups.

With the majority of the senior panels on tour in Toulouse Clon were forced to field a very weakened side, a fact that wasn’t obvious after a very impressive start. Clon were missing third team stalwarts Shane ‘Eddie’ Martens, Ronan ‘Coop there it is’ Cooper and Carl ‘Same Pint All Night’ Horan. Even with these missing Clon dominated the opening 20 minutes. Big carries from Jimmy Cahill, Tom McGratton, Eamon Stapleton aligned with less direct but equally affective breaks from David Jebb and Chris Kelly saw the visitors set up residence in the opposition 22.

However despite favourable territory and possession Clon couldn’t open up an advantage on the score board. Chris Kelly came close but his break was stopped short whilst winger James Kenny came within a whisker of registering the opening try only to be pushed into touch as he dived for the line after a well worked back line move.

The pack, who completely out fought and battled the opposition front eight in the early exchanges, were also regularly searching for the line. However despite not just finding but crossing the home white wash, via a brilliant combined effort, on four separate occasions they couldn’t register the score the Gordon Park side’s play deserved.

The brilliant Dave Jebb, who is not just continuing the leagacy of the Clondalkin Jebb Dynasty but increasing its legendary status, was then carted off due to injury and Clon immediately suffered. Portlaoise began get a grip on proceedings as Clon suffered Jebb withdrawals symptoms. The hosts however never really threaten. On the rare occasion they did break the first up cover Ian Murphy and Dara Ward produced brilliant cover tackles to ensure they didn’t break the deadlock and it finished 0-0 at the break.

The home side made a number of changes and increased the tempo after the break. They successfully kept the ball out of the contact area and benefited as a result. Despite the pressure Clondalkin remained defiant and held firm. All of Portlaoise pressure only yielded three points. It was apparent it would take a mistake or something special to break the Clon resolve.

And unfortunately for the Gordon Park outfit they were undone by a mistake. A poor Jonny Stapleton clearance was blocked down and gifted Laoise the game defining score midway through the second half. Clon didn’t give in however and after two more destructive mauls were deemed held up, McGratton eventually touched down.

With just three points between the sides and seven minutes remaining Clon made one last late surge. Simon Cumminsky, who carried ball well throughout, came close but the visitors just couldn’t register a match winning score. Kevin Dunphy did touch down but again his effort was ruled out for a forward pass in the build up. Clon will be hoping for a bit more luck in the three remaining finals.

Added by Murts May 4, 2010 (3:21PM)

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