St Marys (3) vs Clondalkin 4ths (12)

J5 League

Article by Jonny Stapleton
















Eamon Hughes, Chris Murray and Paddy Lawlor celebrate the 4th team victory

Trys in the first and last five minutes saw Clondalkin fourths win a second and third place shoot out in St Marys College early last Saturday morning. Jonathan Edgwards and Paddy Lawlor provided the moments of flair touching down to ensure the team and particularly the packs fight didnt go unrewarded.

On ground so soft it wouldnt have suited any race horse the front eight were always going to be influential, but the Clon forwards were immense. The pack was literally a rip roaring success, ripping an abundance of ball, winning crucial penalties and dominating the line out. And a talented backline who were made a little less potent by the conditions ensured the hard forward slog didnt go to waste with two moments of that old back line magic.

Despite the worst possible pre game preparations, which included numerous wake up calls to remind people of the early kick off, Clon made the best possible start. The front eight conspired to punch a number of holes in the home defence via big powerful carries and simultaneously opened space out wide. This particular Gordon Park side are more inclined to run than Forrest Gump and they didnt need a second invitation to move the ball.

Thanks to the quick hands of Lawlor and Lovett and a more deliberate Dave Gilmore approach Edgwards found himself in possession. The winger, who added the final touches to a last gasp try of the season contender the week previous, registered his second try in two games and five minutes of rugby via a lovely side step to give the visitors an early lead. Lawlor added the extras to make it 7-0. Clon continued to dominate and thanks again to some good work by the likes of Gilmore on his return from injury, Bobby Smith and Gunning found themselves with quality territory.

Translating that field position and pressure into points however proved difficult, as conditions ensured mistakes were common. A scrappy dogged affair ensued with neither side dominating. Marys attempted to win the territory battle and regularly puting boot to ball, but the pace of Eamon Hughes and the powerful running of Ronan Cooper made that tactic was fruitless.

In truth Clon were never under too much pressure. Without the ball the graft of Kevin Dunphy, second row inductee Ian Murphy, Brennan, Lawlor, Lovett and Gunning meant they were comfortable. Another injury returnee Ken McMahon was super in the ruck and literally ripped the heart out of a number of home attacks. Bobby Smith, Dave Gilmore and to a lesser extent Stephen McKenna were also impressive around the loose and won a number of pressure lifting penalties.

Brennan, who seems to be enjoying his top flight rugby sabbatical, showed class in the line out and in his reading of the game. And it was the model like rugby ugly 6 who came closest to extending the spirited fourths lead. Brennan provided the support to superb Smith and Lawlor breaks but on both occasions he literally got stuck in the mud meaning it remained 7-0 at the turn. Marys showed in the second half why they too were contesting for second spot with some flashes of quality.

Only a superb cover tackle from Ronan Cooper prevented a certain score whilst Smith and McMahon won crucial penalties when the visitors found themselves camped on their 22. Centres Lawlor and Lovett, who are Scrooge like in their approach to giving away points, were also impressive and added to their already massive tackle count.

With the result in the balance and second place up for grabs tensions rose and with the conditions slowing the game right down a battle ensued. But the Clon pack won the fight, battle, the war and eventually the game.

White line fever infected the visitors and prevented them converting a number of easy chances. But just when it looked like the hosts had the chance to clear their lines McKenna won Clondalkin what proved to be a crucial penalty.

Marys expected the Gordon Park side to take the easy three on offer but Clon had other ideas. Shane Martens tapped and fed out wide where Lawlor was sent crashing over the line to register his first try and to send Clondalkin fourths to a deserved second in their first full season.

Added by Murts February 9, 2010 (8:42AM)

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