Under 18s overcome Gorey

This report dates back to 17th October 2008. Sorry for the delay in posting as there have been technical issues with the site.

Under-18 Leinster League Division 1
Corcaigh Park, Saturday October 17
Clondalkin RFC 31
Goery RFC 23
Article by Jonny Stapleton

They may have underperformed, but Clondalkin still managed to produce a bonus point Leinster League victory in Corcaigh Park last Saturday.
The talented youth side stuttered throughout the first period expecting victory rather than trying to earn it, but had enough ability at their disposal to avoid what would have been a disappointing defeat.
Having just been piped by tournament favourites Portloaise in the opening game of the competition, despite fielding a seriously depleted side, last week Clon went in their most recent game confident of victory.
Unfortunately that self belief was of the expectant kind rather than the self assured and as a result the host failed to fire on all cylinders in the opening period. Returning Leinster star Niall Nolan did give them a lead with a trade mark side stepping effort but Gorey hit back to make it 7-5 at the break.
Clon rallied at half time and began to produce the kind of form that has some predicting they can have a serious impact on the tournament. The usual suspects instantly raised their game and the rest followed. Tackle junkie Dave Jebb was back to his brilliant best spoiling at ruck time, and despite giving away serious bulk advantage dominated and frustrated the opposition back row. Bobby Smith, who usually acts as the team’s chief ball carrier, opted against his usual attacking instincts to ensure the hosts maintained their lead and recorded victory. He counter rucked superbly and turned over an amazing amount of ball.
Fittingly it was a Jebb quick tap penalty that lead to Clons opening second half score. After breaking 20 yards he fed prop Tom McGrath who was just held up short of the line, Smith then tried his luck but suffered a similar fate, it was a case of third time lucky, however, as McGrath took a lovely line from the ensuing ruck and was never going to be stopped from 3 yards.
Nolan, now a reformed kicker too, added the extras and gave Clon some breathing space. More impressive Jebb back row work then saw him register a deserved score .The player, whose discipline has improved 100 percent this term, first blocked the opposition outhalfs attempted clearance before stealing from the ensuing ruck and scoring from close range.
The big Goery pack eventually struck back for their team, on two occasions breaking some solid home defending to get back in contention.
A super break by Darragh, who has grown into the scrum half role this term, eventually saw Nolan register a bonus point fourth for the hosts and ensure victory in the round robin stage of the competition. Pictures to follow

Comments (0) Added by Murts November 17, 2008 (3:15PM)

3 out of 3 for Senior Teams

Clondalkin rugby club enjoyed a great weekend last weekend with all three senior teams having emerged victorious from their respective fixtures at the weekend. First up was the third team who were away to Wanderers on Saturday. Bolstered by the return from injury of up and coming first team prop Kevin Kelly the third teamers took a comfortable and deserved victory by a scoreline of 29-3. The try from all time top try scorer Paul Fitzgerald was the pick of the tries.

Next up were the second team who enjoyed a 7 try to 3 victory over Wexford side Gorey. The pick of the tries here was a Keith Doyle special from the half way line showing the Blancardstown man is settling in nicely wearing the number 10 jersey. The side missing several key players still proved to be too good for a gutsy Wexford side who fought bravely to put two late tries on the scoreboard and finish the game 39-19.

The pressure then mounted on the first team, who were yet to win a game since winning the first league game of the season against Edenderry, to make it three from three for the senior sides. The Clondalkin side have found the step up in level to be tougher than expected but the team are now starting to cut their teeth at this higher level. The Clondalkin men were 9-3 up going into the second half of the game when coaches Kenny O’Brien and Rob Hayes decided the Polar Bear Kevin Cullen and club captain Conor Maloney from the bench when Clondalkin were awarded a try 10 metres out from the opposition try line. Maloneys added bulk and superb technical scrimmaging ability honed down under in New Zealand under the tuition of Brent Pope led to what can only be described as one of the best forward tries scored in Clondalkin history. The Clondalkin scrum had been dominant all day but nobody could have expecting them to drive the Gorey pack back over their try line and with the Polar Bear dropping on the ball with effectively his first touch of the ball meant the Clondalkin men were 14-3 up. Stevey Cunningham converted to make it 16-3. Gorey tried to mount a comeback as the game entered the last ten minutes but sterling defense from Dan Shingles Fitzpatrick and centre pairing Phily Byrne and Paul Hickey meant Gorey would not register another score all game. Clondalin pushed home their superior advantage and Stevey Cunningham finished off a fine game with a try of his own. Final score 21-3.

Next up for the firsts and seconds is Kilkenny while the thirds are at home to Clontarf this Saturday.

Comments (0) Added by Murts November 14, 2008 (11:48AM)

Clondalkin 5000 'tackle challenge' a success..

This was because they successfully completed the Minister John Curran Kukri 5000 tackle challenge in Gordon Park last Sunday morning.

The youth players amazing tackling achievement helped raise over €10,000 for the Kingswood based Club and saw the budding rugby stars enjoy an action packed morning of rugby fun.

Minister John Curran TD, who along with Kurkri sponsored the event, is certainly used to tackling various political issues, but traded his politician’s hat for a scrum cap and gum shield to help the club record a memorable achievement on Sunday morning.

“It was an honour to be President when such an event is happening,” Club President Winston Jebb claimed after the event.

“I would like to congratulate everyone involved. It really was a great effort by all those involved in the underage set up here. All the players and tacklers also deserve credit for all their work. It is great to see so many kids up in the club and enjoying sport and rugby every weekend and I think there is a lot more to come Youth wise from the club,” he added.

“A great day was had by all. We had a lot of support from within the club and outside too. I would like particularly like to thank all of our sponsors”, underage coach and first team prop Tom Duffy added.

So successful was the event that Clondalkin will now attempt to break the world record of 4700 tackles in an hour next year.

Comments (0) Added by admin October 23, 2008 (9:40AM)

Total fun at Tackle Day

This article appears in the Evening Herald today.

Clondalkin RFC will hold their 5,000 Tackle Challenge on Sunday October 19. The challenge is simple -- 5,000 tackles to be completed in one day by Clondalkin RFC. What is truly a unique event has captured the support of local businesses who have already came out in support.