Seconds a bit Rusty

Aritcle By Jonny Stapleton
Lawlor Cup Athy 22 Clondalkin 20
Serial Clondalkin heartbreakers Athy struck again last Saturday afternoon ensuring the Gordon Park side’s Lawlor Cup defence got off to a frustrating start.The Kildare side piped Clon’s second string to the League winning post last year denying probably the most attack minded Clondalkin side title glory by a single bonus point.

And Clon’s bogey team returned to haunt them once again last weekend claiming victory in junior rugby’s charity shield (cup versus league winners) equivalent via a late try.Clondalkin had their chances to win and should have exorcised their Athy demons, but a man famous for last ditch heroics Paddy Lawlor wasted a gilt edge opportunity right at the death.

Under the tutelage of new captain Alaric Collier, Clondalkin were eager to make a positive start to the campaign and that desire was obvious in the first half. Under age graduate and resident brain box Dave Jebb was passing his first significant senior test with the highest honours. His back row compatriot Paddy Burke might be at the other end of the career part but produced a vintage performance to share quality parity with Jebb.

However despite dominating early proceedings Clon fell behind to a somewhat sloppy try.The lead the visitors deserved finally came when Peter Fitzgerlad cut open the home defence. The winger benefited from some superb running before easily passing to Leigh ‘The Butcher, Beresford for him to cross the white wash. Dave Gaule, in most likely his last game of the for the Club, added the extra’s to make it 5-7.

Fitzgerald thought he had increased that lead further minutes later when he touched down, but his effort was dubiously ruled out for a foot in touch. Prop Kevin Kelly, who had a back row tackle count in the second period, and the now injured James Kenny suffered a similar fate albeit in less dubious circumstances as they had efforts deemed held up.

The hosts had no such problems and they re took the lead before the turn via a second try.Some half time histrionics seemed like they might upset Clon’s chances of victory, but turned out to be a blessing in disguise. A disgruntled Paddy Lawlor, who was told last minute he was not, as expected on the starting team, took to the field eager to win himself a starting spot Dublin Minor made instead of kicked a point with the try of the day.The Spiers cup hero fielded a clearance on half way before stepping around, through and over would be tacklers to touch down in stylish fashion. Gaule again was successful with the conversion and soon after a penalty.

The tit for tat nature of the game continued and it wasn’t long before Athy struck again their big bulky ball carriers making space for the backs who made no mistake to leave 17-16 midway through the second half.Gaule then gave Clon the upper hand with a fourth successful kick and it seemed like the second’s would hold out. A massive hit and a mammoth all round effort from the impressive John Nolan and some superb Kelly cover tackles did prevent the hosts from registering a try but they could do nothing to stop the Kildare side tacking over a penalty and stealing a two point lead.

Clon did have chances to snatch it at the death but despite some good Burke, Conor Caslin and Lawlor work couldn’t snatch victory and were left upset after loosing in a cup that gave them so much joy only three months ago.

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Added by admin August 29, 2010 (5:20PM)

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