Latest Articles
Seconds struggle to extend their unbeaten run
Athy (17) vs Clondalkin (17) 20 Jan 08The seconds made hard work of extending their unbeaten run and ended up having to settle for a less than impressive draw against their main rival for the runner up spot in the league. The travelling team had a decent start to the first half and the front row of Conor Caslin, Ken McMahon and Chris Australia proved more than just a match to their much bigger counterparts in the scrum which allowed captain Dan Fitzpatrick make some of his trademark breaks from the base of the scrum. The team were beginning to build some momentum when the referee inexplicably binned second row David “Happy” Gilmore for ten minutes. The game sprung to life soon after Gilmore’s return when Ali Habana sent Keith Doyle on a run from inside his own 22. However the move came to nothing when in broke down inside the opposition half. Clondalkin were keen to build on the position and after some brilliant lineout work from Bren Ward they went about setting up camp inside the visitors 22. Clondalkin were awarded a penalty after some good work by the forwards. First team regular Philip Byrne took it upon himself to take a quick tap and once again proved that he is unstoppable from 5 metres out crossing the whitewash with at least five Athy players hanging out of him. Eddie Martens obliged with the conversion and Clondalkin were beginning to click. Some more strange refereeing decisions followed which aggravated not only the Clondalkin players but the Athy team too. Clondalkin were beginning to turn the screw when Ciaran Brennan was sent over in the corner to make it 12-0 just before the break. The Clondalkin team went into the break with some great momentum and all the signs pointed to the game being sealed early in the second half. Clondalkin touched down early in the second half but Athy stormed back into the game by scoring the vital next try. The Clondalkin management uncharacteristically made some rash early substitutions and this seemed inspire the opposition. Athy were given a lifeline and showed the spirit that has made them one of Clondalkin’s most difficult opponents year on year in the whole of Leinster. They crossed for a second unconverted try and seemed to be starting to dominate many of the collision areas. Tough defence from Bren Ward, David Gilmore, Ollie McGraw, Paul Sexton and Ali Habana seemed to have sealed the win but the home team were awarded a rather harsh penalty try under the post. The game ended at 17-17 and the Clondalkin players were left asking the question as to what might have been.
Captain Dan Fitzpatrick was full of praise for his team at the end of the league campaign and reflected upon how far they have developed this year. He reminded his players to think back to the hammering handed out to them by Cill Dara back in September and to be proud of how far they have came. The strength the team now possess was shown by the fact that there was no place in the starting line up for last years 1st team player of the year, 2nd team player of the year or under 20s player of the year from two years back Ollie McGrew, Neil O’Hara and Stephen Tyndal respectively. A testament to the improved fitness and attitude of the team is the fact that there are only two players, Jimmy Cahill and Dave Shirley sidelined with injuries after such a bruising season. The team will have learned a valuable lesson regarding making wholesale at such a pivotal point in the game and coupled with the return to form of Keith Doyle the team can now look forward to the Towns Cup with relish. Next Stop Mullingar..
Starting team:
1) Chris Australia
2) Conor Caslin
3) Ken McMahon
4) Bren Ward
5) David Gilmore
6) Mick O’Dee
7) Derek Murtagh
8) Dan Fitzpatrick
9) Eddie Martens
10) Paul Sexton
11) Joe Normoyle
12) Philip Byrne
13) Ciaran Brennan
14) Keith Doyle
15) Ali Habana
Man of the Match: Keith Doyle
Comments (0) Added by Murts January 23, 2008 (1:06PM)
Clondalkin Seconds Shine under the lights of Gorey
Gorey 2nds (0) vs Clondalkin 2nds (24)Friday 11 Jan 07
Clondalkin 2nds travelled down to Gorey last Friday night and put in a performance which showed signs of a team hitting top form in the run up to the towns plate competition. The fact that this team was missing key players such as David Gilmore, Frank Lynam, Bren Ward, Al Boland and Neil O’Hara along with having none of the 1st team subs used in Sundays match at home to Arklow goes to show the strength in depth that now exists in Clondalkin Rugby.
The match played under floodlights sprung to life early in the first half when debutant Joe Normyle raced from inside his own 22 all the way into the opposition 22 only to pass the ball to a heavy breathing Ciaran Brennan who was well tackled by his opposite number. Support from captain Dan Fitzpatrick and prop Ken McMahon ensured that the away team kept possession of the ball. The home team defended bravely around the fringes but it was always going to be a formality when scrumhalf Eddie Martens popped to ball to outhalf Ali Habana who sent Joe Normyle over in the corner. The second try followed shortly when the midfield partnership of Wayne Barnes and Derek Murtagh drove the opposition back with some trademark heavy hitting forcing the scrumhalf to rush his pass which was intercepted by Eddie Martens who had an easy run in from about 15 yards out. Gorey to their credit came back with some dynamic running and looked all set to drive the much vaunted Clondalkin pack over from outside their own 22 until Flanker Ollie McGrew decided that it was time to take the maul down with about 5 metres to the Clondalkin line. More hard hitting from the centres and back row saw the Gorey threat diminish and Clondalkin went into the break 12-0 up. The try which all but sealed the game came early in the second half when prop Ken McMahon was lofted into the air to steal the home teams lineout for what must have been the 5th time of the night. The ball was spread quickly to the left wing and following neat work from Joe Normyle, fullback Ciaran Brennan touched down for his 1st try of the season.
The Clondalkin pack were being outshone by the backs for the first time all year and eventually Mick O’Dee responded with a trademark Clondalkin forwards try which was instigated by replacement prop Ciaran Collins. Gorey to their credit fought hard to get a consolation score but this Clondalkin unit showed that they do not believe in charity and shut up shop with a fine defensive display nilling yet another opponent. Captain Dan Fitzpatrick can now look forward to next weekends must win match against Athy with delight in the knowledge that Clondalkin are beginning to shine at the business end of the season and also the news that club legends Eamon Stapleton and Paul Sexton are back in training. The only bit of bad news to come out of this trip down south was apparent loss of form of Keith Doyle as his try scoring run ended under the lights.
1) Chris Australia
2) Conor Caslin
3) Ken McMahon
4) Stephen Tyndall
5) Shrek
6) Mick o’Dee
7) Ollie McGrew
8) Dan Fitzpatrick
9) Eddie Martens
10) Ali Habana
11) Joe Normyle
12) Wayne Barnes
13) Derek Murtagh
14) Joe Normyle
15) Ciaran Brennan
Man of the match: Joe Normyle
Comments (1) Added by Murts January 14, 2008 (2:37PM)
Under 10s & 11s
Matchs this weekend Sunday 13th jan 2008, Under 11s at home vs Navan 10.30 am, Under 10sv Bective is cancelled due to them been unable to field. Training as normal for Under 7s 9s & 10s. Remember Gum Sheilds, Under 11s please arive at 10.15am. Any problems contact barney or tom 087-9977544/0878223633Comments (0) Added by TomDuffy January 11, 2008 (2:33PM)
Editor User Guide - New Club Website
For those who have asked to be a website editor for the new club website, an Editor User Guide is now available which shows step-by step how to post articles under the different categories and how to include images in these articles.
This Editor User Guide can be downloaded here:
All those who register as normal users to the website can log-on and comment on any of these articles as they are posted.