North Kildare (12) vs Clondalkin (44)

J5 League

Article by Jonny Stapleton

An eight try salvo in North Kildare last Saturday made it six successive victories for Clondalkin Fourths and saw them further cement their second place status in the process. A first half laced with panache and a second more reliant on power saw the flying fourths register their most prolific win of their inaugural league term.

Clon exploited their oppositions numerical disadvantage in the opening period to open up a comfortable advantage on the score board. The visitors then outscored a North Kildare restored to the full compliment after the turn in equally impressive fashion. The extraordinary winning streak will certainly come under pressure next weekend, however, as Clon face the undefeated Terenure in a top of the table clash.

But confidence is high in the Clon camp and in current form they are more than capable of taking a scalp and bringing the J5 battle right down to the wire. Saturday’s game was one that was never going to go to the wire as Clon all but put the result beyond doubt before the turn around. With just five minutes gone Eammon Hughes, who is as impressive on the rugby pitch as his name sake is on breakfast TV, benefited from some good forward play and a clever grubber to make it 5-0 after 5 minutes.

It was 10-0 before the ten minute mark after Paddy Lawlor touched down for the third successive game after taking a lovely line down the first centre channel before finishing via an impressive side step. Clon proceeded to dominate with Jonny Stapleton orchestrating a brand of running rugby that the great Carlos Spencer would have been proud of. Via some slick attack play the visitors broke the gain line with the same regularity as Joey ’the model’ Lovett does hearts, but poor execution of the final pass killed off some certain scoring chances.

Then after a little lull and a host of missed opportunities Seany Brennan powered over from the base of a strong scrum moments after a some brilliant Kev Dunphy and a superb move that saw Clon run the ball the length of the pitch. Consistent performer ‘The Model’ Lovett then stretched the visitors lead further with a try that was fittingly pleasing on the eye. The out side centre found himself at the end of another fine Clon move and added a dummy and a defence splitting side step before strolling under the post. Lovett, however was upstaged by Hughes before the break. The full back found himself in possession after Clondalkin ran a quick penalty form inside their 22 and rewarded the visitors bravery with a terrific finish scoring his fifth try of a world wind debut season.

North Kildare found a number of fresh faces come half-time and presented a whole new challenge to a slightly less motivated Clondalkin after the turn. Clon were caught cold not long after the turn and the host took advantage of some visiting indiscipline and six consecutive penalties to score form five yards. The visitors however ensured that the score was consolation rather than the revival inspiring and hit back instantly. Prodigal rugby son, Graham Gallagher rounding off an impressive string of performances with the touch down after two superb mauls.

The forwards took the reigns off the backs and became the dominant force after the turn. Paul Gifford Snr roled back the years and impressed in the tight, while Brennan, Dunne, Chris Murray, Gallagher and the entire front eight performed.

It was a back who got the next try however, the competitive and all action Mark Quinlan finishing in down the tram line in Shane Horgan fashion. Clon continued to press and after Brennan came close with another brilliant effort the pack register another well deserved effort to round off another impressive fourth display.

Added by Murts March 1, 2010 (4:40PM)

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