<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Clondalkin Rugby Football Club]]></title><description><![CDATA[Articles]]></description><link>http://www.clondalkinrugby.com/</link><copyright><![CDATA[Copyright Clondalkin Rugby Football Club]]></copyright><generator>sNews CMS</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Clondalkin (47) vs Athy (11)]]></title><description><![CDATA[Leinster League Division 2  
Article entirely by Jonny Stapleton  


      
Clondalkin stole the initiative in the Leinster League Division 2 promotion race with a sensational try scoring display in Gordon Park last Sunday.
The first string popped the cork and produced, for the first time this season, rugby of the champagne kind to move into second ahead of their nearest rivals and next opponents Ashbourne on points difference.
However despite the fact rugby bubbly was flowing to ensure an eight score salvo, which included a Steve Cunningham hat trick, the hosts refrained from over celebrating as realisation of their promotion dream is still at least four games away.
     
Athy handed Clon the early initiative via their indiscipline in the early exchanges as a penalty conceded in each of the opening five minutes gifted the hosts territory aswell as 3-0 lead via the boot for Chris Jebb.
The visitors paid further penance for the rugby discrepancies when minutes later another penalty, which this time was aimed down the line rather than towards the posts, resulted the first of eight home touch downs.

Clon caught and mauled the subsequent line-out and before Brian Doyle, after recommendation form scrum half Mark Molloy, broke from the tail to dive over unchallenged. 
      
Moments after he had produced a Carlos Spencer style dummy, Doyle’s front row partner, Ciaran Cullen, scored a similar effort, differentiated only by the stylish finish, touching down after a smart draw and give by centre Ronan Murphy to make it 13-0.
      
At this stage Clon were dominating in ever facet. Their scrum was strong and the line out, as per usual, exceptional. The only thing Athy were leading in was the penalty concession count. They lead 16-5 on the misdemeanour score board a fact their coach and stat man let be know to the referee after Jebb missed a chance to make it 16-0.
      
Once the visitors tidied up their act they began to make inroads into the home half and reduced the deficit to ten.
 
But the hosts reprieve was only temporary and in truth if Gordon Park natives were a little more ruthless in their finishing the could have register a bonus point before the turn. Niall Nolan and Simon King came closest but it remained 13-3 at the turn.
      
To their credit Athy did rally after the break and prevented Clondalkin from getting their hands on the ball directly after the turn. The visiting pressure eventually yielded but strong home tackling ensured it did so only in the form of a penalty. 
 
And when Cunningham pounced on an fortunate bounce from a Molloy kick moments latter the result was all but assured.
      
Captain Dan Fitzpatrick nearly registered the bonus point effort moments latter with his customary bull dozing charge but despite leaving pile of Athy rubble in his wake he was unable to touch down.
      
A problem Cunningham didn’t have minutes latter. The St Judes man consulted his GAA roots to catch another punt forward after two bone crunching hits from Murphy to make it 27-6.
 
Clon were cruising at this stage and marshalled Alan Hickey began to turn on the style. The ran at ever opportunity and began to tear their opponents apart. 
      
Not happy with the aesthetically pleasing nature of their beautiful attacking play Paul Nolan, Fitzpatrick and Simon King ensured their some wincing moments for the less romantic fan of the uglier side of rugby to enjoy. Nolan in particular registered one groan inducing hit that almost won the approval of Ray Kelly.
      
Although they were dishing out tackles Clon were rarely in receipt of them a fact Molloy took full advantage of to further extend the home lead. The scrum half touching down under the posts after a slalom like run that would have been at home at the recent winter Olympics.
 
The scoring didn’t stop there though and moments after Athy touched down to make it 35-11 Cunningham registered, much to his delight, his first career hat-trick. 
 
      
But the hosts save the best to last and registered a try of the season contender right at the death. 
 
Alan Hickey decided to move the ball deep in his own 22 and after substitute Gaz Donnelly raced past three would be tacklers before off loading to King on the half way line. The combative flanker could have moved the ball but elected to go for the line and via two wonderful side steps and a dummy earned his right to swan dive and touch down under the posts.
    
Coach Paul 'Hitch' Haycock was mildly pleased with the result and was keen to put the game into perspective. He told clondalkinrugby.com "The lads played well today but they did make a good few mistakes that need to be ironed out before next weekends Towns Cup game in Wicklow. We have a massive month of rugby ahead starting this Sunday coming". A number of clondalkin players thought they would be getting rested this coming weekend but Hitch had this to say to them after making his Towns Cup intentions clear "Never trust a man with a moustache". 
]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:02:53 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.clondalkinrugby.com/home/clondalkin-47-vs-athy-11/</link><guid>http://www.clondalkinrugby.com/home/clondalkin-47-vs-athy-11/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Clondalkin 2nds (27) vs Athy (16)]]></title><description><![CDATA[  Provisional Seconds Leinster League Division 2     
  Jonny Stapleton        

Clondalkin Seconds took control of their league title destiny in Gordon Park last Sunday replacing their most recent opponents Athy at the top of the table via yet another impressive victory. 
  
  
 If the league title was Clons to gain prior to kick off it is certainly theirs to loose after the well deserved win. As it stands now victory in their remaining three games will see Clondalkin seconds collect league honours for the first time in ten years and their first ever Division 2 crown.
  
   

Captain Kevin Cullen ensured there was more build up to this game than there was building in Dublin during the Celtic Tiger years and that added pressure seemed to negatively effect the hosts.
The occasion got to Clondalkin and they fell behind to a well executed Athy maul after just five minutes and failed to impose themselves on the game early on.
  
  
 
There were some fine individual moments from the likes of Conor Maloney, Paul Hickey, Ray Kelly and Conor Caslin but the fact they were all of a defensive nature highlights Athy’s early dominance. 
Player of the month Andy Tyndall, whose kicking has been of the match winning kind of late, maintained his rich vein of penalty form to reduce the deficit to two.
   
  

That effort seemed to settle Clon’s nerves and they began to impress with, rather than, without the ball for the first time. Bren Ward came off the bench to resolve all line-out issues and Clon began to dominate. 
Lee Beresford nearly added the finishes touches a neat back line move but true to form butchered the move before Clon eventually took the lead.
   
  

An Andy Tyndall charge led to the full back winning a penalty it looked like he would slot over to make it 6-3, but Clon had other ideas. The scrum half put a certain three points in jeopardy by tapping and going but turned from crowd villain to leading man after his quick thinking eventually resulted in James Kenny finishing from close range. 
   
  

Andy Tyndall added the extras and a penalty before half time to leave it 13-5 to the host at the turn around.
 
With top of the table up for grabs Athy were certainly not going to give up and they did their best to back into the tie after the restart. 
  
  
 
Tensions were certainly high and Clon’s credentials were certainly tested. It was an exam they passed however as the visiting early onslaught only yielded three points thanks particularly to the experience of Finbarr Butler and the brilliance of Hickey and Kelly in the home backrow.
 
The flanker and number eight were having a personal dual for the man of the match title Hickey impressing the judges with continuous and regular jabs whilst Kelly hits albeit less frequent were of the knock out variety.
  
  
 
Indeed one ‘Razor’ Kelly hit nearly sliced an opposing centre in two and set the tone for the entire second half.
 
The sides then exchanged penalties and some blows as the score board was pushed to 16-11 and the player count to 15-14, both in Clon’s favour.
 
With a man advantage after the visiting outside centre saw yellow Clon began to dominate and Ali Collier and Dave Beehan benefited form some fine Paul Fitzgerald work to win the hosts a close range penalty.
 
  
  
Eoin McGuire, who was direct and aggressive after he came off the bench and back from his rugby sabbatical, took the tap and crashed into the opposing pack before Butler took the quickly recycled ball and brought it over the white wash via two tacklers, making it 21-11 in the process. This try sees Butler take over Mick O'Briens long held record as the oldest Clondalkin player to score a try in a league match.
  
  
Athy did attempt a comeback but missed a kickable opportunity and in truth Clon looked defensively sound. Kelly continued to excel and was more lance than torn in Athy’s side while underage graduate Bobby Smith won some important penalties continuing to impress in his freshman year.
 
The backline also saw a lot more of the ball and marshalled by Dave Gaule began to express themselves in the form of attacks.
   
  

It was second row Butler however who provided the magic for the hosts third try. Again Maguire carried in a close range penalty and again Butler collected quick ball, but rather than dart for the line himself he put it on a plate for the try hungry Beehan to devour.
 
Clon did push unsuccessfully for a bonus point try but were delighted the replaced the opponents at the top of the table after the turn.
   
  

It was a victory however they were allowed to enjoy for all of 30 seconds.
“That was a great win and I want to thank everyone involved for the effort. But we have to forget about that win now and look forward. Lets focus on our next challenge. We need a big effort from everyone to win our next three games and to win the league,” Cullen explained.
  
  
Player watch focussed on Man of the match and player of the month Andy Tyndall. Tyndall has been in impressive form for a number of games now and was again the main reason why Clon took victory with a near perfect kicking game. The performance was reminiscent of his Leinster youth days and was of such a high standard that Kevin Laide could even be seen cheering him on. Tyndall had this to say his when presented with his player of the month award "Mammy will be happy when she see's my trophy. I'm going home to show her now".  
]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:50:03 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.clondalkinrugby.com/home/clondalkin-2nds-27-vs-athy-16/</link><guid>http://www.clondalkinrugby.com/home/clondalkin-2nds-27-vs-athy-16/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Shave or Dye: Shrek, Darach and John Nolan]]></title><description><![CDATA[As you may or may not know Shrek, John Nolan and Darach Finrgan have recently dyed their hair. What you may be surprised to know is that this is not just them seeking some attention but rather they are doing this for a worthy cause, which is the Irish Cancer Society's Shave or Dye campaign. 
    
They will be shaving their hair in the club this coming Friday. Club opens at 9.30., shave will be happening between half 10 and 11. Donations can be made at the following link   http://www.mycharity.ie/fundPageTemplateX.php?urlRef=darachjohnshrek   or on the night.    
This is a big deal Shrek who has being growing his hair for 5 and a half years so its the end of an era! ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:31:00 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.clondalkinrugby.com/home/shave-or-dye-shrek-darach-and-john-nolan/</link><guid>http://www.clondalkinrugby.com/home/shave-or-dye-shrek-darach-and-john-nolan/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Delayed Article: Clondalkin 2nds (45) vs Gorey (3)]]></title><description><![CDATA[  Provisional Seconds Towns Cup   
Gordon Park Sunday 28th February   
Clondalkin 45  
Gorey 3  
Jonny Stapleton  
       
Clondalkin seconds ended their try scoring drought and booked their place in the second round of the prestigious Towns Cup with a feast of touch downs in Gordon Park last Sunday.
Clon, who won their last two games 6-3 thanks to late Andy Tyndall penalties, gave up not scoring trys for Lent and crossed the white wash on five occasions in the second half to register a deserved and comfortable win.
     
The second string dominated from start to finish but struggled to turn pressure into to points in the opening period. After the turnaround however they got the try scoring Midas touch, ran riot and register a deserved emphatic victory.
     
A bright start saw Clondalkin, who are joint top of the league and have a North Midlands Cup final on St Patricks Day, take an early lead fittingly via the boot of Tyndall. 
 
They proceeded to dominate and literally destroyed their opposition upfront. The front eight, under the barking orders of scrum half Philly Byrne, were nothing short of immense and won every forward battle. 
 
The hosts however failed to take full advantage of superior territory and possession and struggled to extend their lead as various moves broke down at the last minute.
Their supremacy was eventually reflected on the scoreboard when Peter Fitzgerald raced over to register a score that will stave off retirement for another week. 
The experienced winger benefited from more impressive forward play, a great Alleric Collier line break and a soft pass from his brother Paul Fitzgerald to register Clon's first try in three games. Tyndall converted a touch line hugging effort to push the lead to 10-0.
     
The hosts remained in the ascendancy, thanks in particular to some powerful front play, but they saw their lead decreased rather than extended as the visitors tacked on a penalty.
The poor execution that plagued Clon's first half certainly wasn't present in the second as the Gordon Park side began to take the numerous chances they created.
 
The first of five second half efforts, and the score that changed the tie, fittingly began thanks to some great pack play. Converted hooker Conor Caslin, who was brilliant at blindside, turned over possession against the odds in the opposition 22 before Dave Gaule raced home unopposed.
     
Peter Fitzgerald and Dave 'Dream Boat' Behan did their best forward impression moments latter to win a penalty that eventually lead to try number three. The pack got the try their play deserved when they mauled over after Tyndall sent the penalty down the line.
 
The role reversal theme continued in the hosts next score as second row James Kenny broke from deep within his half before selling a beautiful dummy any back would be proud off and handing a receipt to the opposing winger before giving Paul Fitzgerald an easy finish from five yards.
     
Clon were unstoppable and it seemed every excursion forward was rewarded with a score. Their next touch down however came from a visiting mistake rather than any brilliant play of their own. Prop Ken McMahon pounced after a gory Gorey fumble and had enough time to kiss the 19 year old ball before he scored his first second team try in five years.
     
Substitute Bobby Smith followed his former underage coach on the score card just minutes later. The young prop powered over from just five yards after a mesmerising break from Mark Duggan and a brilliant turnover from the busy Ollie MeGraw.
     
Dan Fitzpatrick produced the moment of the match just before the final whistle but after literally bursting his way through the Gorey pack and making a length of the field dash before he was fouled by the substitute winger on the 5 metre line and dropped the ball. Many believe Dan knocked the ball on in true Dropper 2 style but this journalist will vouch for the fact that he was indeed fouled.
 
       
]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:25:07 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.clondalkinrugby.com/home/delayed-article-clondalkin-2nds-45-vs-gorey-3/</link><guid>http://www.clondalkinrugby.com/home/delayed-article-clondalkin-2nds-45-vs-gorey-3/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Delayed Article: Clane 2nds (3) vs Clondalkin 2nds (6)]]></title><description><![CDATA[.  
Clondalkin seconds definitely got whatever bounces of the ball that were going in Clane last weekend and can consider themselves lucky to have emerged victorious by a score of 6-3. 
     
Playing in mucky conditions, Clondalkin captain Kevin Cullen opted to play with the conditions in the first half. This decision almost backfired on Clon as they were unable to captilise on the fact they were playing somewhat downhill and with the wind. Clon spent much of the first half playing around the fringes of rucks and were consistently forced into having too many numbers go in to protect the ball at ruck time thereby removing any chance of getting quick ball to unleash the backs. In fact they were commiting so many men that they were find themselves short when it came to recycling the ball and this caused their problems to compound. 
     
Cullen knew his team were making hard work of the game and must have been kicking himself for not having Conor McAuley in the squad. McAuley who has a well deserved nickname as the ruck inspector would have been able to tell Cullen where things were going wrong given the fact he has made a career from standing around looking at rucks.
     
As the first half kicked on coach Colm Tighe got the message on that he wanted to see more up and unders and wanted to see the game to start being played inside the Clane 22. Outhalf Dave Gaule duly obliged and Clon were sending bombs down the Clane fullbacks throat. He was dealing quiet well with them for the most part but two back to back monster tackles one from Dave Gaule and one from Paul Hickey saw Clon win themselves a scrum just five metres out. Clon asserted pressure at scrum time but a dogged Clane defense ensured both teams went in scoreless at half time.
     
Clon knew they had to up the ante in the second half so it was no surprise that Conor 'Big Dog' Maloney was unleashed from the bench much earlier than usual. Maloney had an immediate impact with some decent carries but they were all being made around the half way line. Soon after came Straightacket McKenna and Bobby 'The Bouncer' Smith. The lads brought youthful exuberance to the game but even these two were unable to get the scoreboard ticking over. In fact it was Clane who got the first score of the game with a penalty that came after some good pressure on the Clondalkin line.
     
Clon had still not registered a point as the game entered the last ten minutes. Cullen knew it was time to pull out his world renowned 'this is biggest ten minutes of your life speech' along with his trump card of Steven Tyndall. Tyndall had an immediate impact and the twenty stone colossus earned his brother a shot from almost on the halfway. Andy kicked the penalty to bring Clon to 3-3. Clon began exerting more pressure on the Clane line and the Big Dog Maloney eventually barged over. However, to manys surprise a Clane player was able to get in the way of him touching down. Clon were odds on to see Steven Tyndall go over in the corner from the resulting try but if their was ever proof that a man can try too hard for his team it was when captain Cullen stepped into the number 8 spot for the scrum. Cullen was repelled by a strong Clane defense who even managed to force the turnover. They cleared their lines and it was only for a tired piece of tackling from the Clane backline that Clon were awarded a penalty with time pretty much all but up.
     
It would not have surprised anyone if Cullen stepped up to attempt the match deciding kick but luckily he left it to Andy Tyndall. Tyndall duly converted to give Clon a win they didn't deserve. Their luck didn't just stop here as Portarlington done them a big favour by getting a draw with Athy. This has now set up a league defining game at Gordon Park in two weeks time. It will pretty much be a straight shootout between them and Athy for the league. 

    
 Player watch this week focussed on Peter Fitzgerald who was returning to the seconds after making a string of impressive appearances for the fourths. However, his appearance in this game was impressive for all the wrong reasons. 


 

His alter ego "Wheels" is renowned for not having the use of his legs and it very much appeared that the club joker was testing a new version of this famous character. This alter ego was  called "Stumps" and did not have the use of his arms. Stumps refused to lay a hand on the ball all day and even when it came to kicking Fitzgerald stayed in character throughout the game using his feet soccer style which was of great amusement to the Clane support.  
    

]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:05:28 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.clondalkinrugby.com/home/delayed-article-clane-2nds-3-vs-clondalkin-2nds-6/</link><guid>http://www.clondalkinrugby.com/home/delayed-article-clane-2nds-3-vs-clondalkin-2nds-6/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Chris Stapleton Memorial Cup]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Annual Dungannon Vs Clondalkin Underage Game to take place on the 28th March 2009 at 10.30am
    
The Cup which is now in its 3rd year, is played in Memory of Chris Stapleton ,Former President,Founder Member,Father of John & Eammon.
    
Clondalkin Underage Squad hope that the Cup stays on this side of the Border this season.
    ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:39:48 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.clondalkinrugby.com/home/chris-stapleton-memorial-cup/</link><guid>http://www.clondalkinrugby.com/home/chris-stapleton-memorial-cup/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[North Kildare (12) vs Clondalkin (44)]]></title><description><![CDATA[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.
    ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:40:48 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.clondalkinrugby.com/home/north-kildare-12-vs-clondalkin-44/</link><guid>http://www.clondalkinrugby.com/home/north-kildare-12-vs-clondalkin-44/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Weekend Competition]]></title><description><![CDATA[Clondalkinrugby.com are running a spot the difference competition ahead of this weekends game. Answers can be given by leaving a comment below. Winner will be drawn at random and Tommy Duffy will be presenting the prize in the club at half time during the England Match. Can you tell the difference between the two pictures below.   Is it:
  
1: Ron Jeremy is sober  
2: Barneys hair is more grey   
3: Barneys moustache is more "Holywood"   
4: All of the above   

  
  This is a family website so be sensible with your comments  
    
                                               ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:21:20 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.clondalkinrugby.com/home/weekend-competition/</link><guid>http://www.clondalkinrugby.com/home/weekend-competition/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Action this Weekend]]></title><description><![CDATA[      Again being an international
weekend the firsts have another&nbsp;week off to re-group, but
there's still plenty of action&nbsp;for you to cheer on
your&nbsp;club;  
&nbsp;  
&nbsp;  
  Saturday:    
&nbsp;  
    3rd's&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Blackrock&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
home&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1.00pm      
This is a massive game for the "saturday firsts", and a win will almost
certainly see them stay at the top tier of J4 for another year, so get
if you are planning on going to the club for the Ireland game, head up
a bit early and support the Stapleton brother's and their side.  
&nbsp;  
    4th's&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;North
Kildare&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; away&nbsp;&nbsp; 1.00pm      
Jonny the Hips and Aidan Delamare have continued thier stellar work,
and currently sit 2nd in the league &amp; have won their last 5 in
a row.  
&nbsp;  
    U19's&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Terenure&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
away&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1.30pm&nbsp;&nbsp;
Leinster Shield,      
NOTE: game switched to Terenure  
&nbsp;  
&nbsp;  
&nbsp;  
  Sunday  :  
&nbsp;  
    2nd's&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Gorey&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;home&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
3.00pm&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Towns Cup, first round    &nbsp;  
Unbeaten since 1st of Nov, and currently joint top of the league and
with a cup final to look forward to on Paddy's Day, the sky is the
limit for Gordan Parks second string!  
  
    U14's&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Malahide&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
home&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 11.30am      
&nbsp;  
    U12's&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Malahide&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
home&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 10.45am      
&nbsp;  
We are delighted to announce a new side, with U3's&nbsp;training with
Tom "the dropper" Duffy starting this weekend.  
&nbsp;  
&nbsp;  
&nbsp;  
Other Club news:  
&nbsp;  
The club will again be open all day Saturday for both 6 nations games:  
&nbsp;  
Scotland v Italy at 1.30 followed by  
    England v  &nbsp;    IRELAND        &nbsp;  at
4.00  
&nbsp;  
&nbsp;  
The Tour has been confirmed for Toulouse, see website for full details
or contact Philly Byrne.  
&nbsp;  
&nbsp;  
Another shameless plug, i am shaving my head for the Irish Cancer
Society and would like to thank all those who have supported me already
and would urge anybody else looking to donate&nbsp;to click on the
link below and pledge anything at all, every penny counts.  
  http://www.mycharity.ie/  fundPageTemplateX.php?urlRef=  kevin_cullens_event        
  
]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 26 Feb 2010 10:52:26 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.clondalkinrugby.com/home/action-this-weekend/</link><guid>http://www.clondalkinrugby.com/home/action-this-weekend/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[1st Team Report: Clane (7) vs Clondalkin (3)]]></title><description><![CDATA[Clondalkin firsts handed pole position back to Ashbourne in the quest for second place in the league and more importantly the search for the coveted promotion relegation playoff spot with a lacklustre display against a defiant Clane.
    
 

Clondalkin who now have former Clane captain, Ronan Murphy, in their ranks were always going to have a tough day ahead of them as a loss for Clane would have seen them sink into the relegation battle. However, its possibly the fact that Murphy was returning to Clane for the first time that made the Clane players more determined to win the game.

     

Clane got off to the better start and were dominant for the first twenty minutes with good defense from the back row of Mike Ryder, Paul McDermott and Simon King ensuring that Clon did not ship any points. Clon hit their own purple patch after about twenty minutes with several good carries from youngster Niall Nolan showing that Clon have a back line with the potential to be extremely potent. However, the weather conditions on the day meant that the game was always going to be played close to the pack meaning centre Murphy and Dixon were called into action on a regular basis. This type of game played into Clanes hands as it was evident their pack were intent on giving Murphy the welcome home to remember with every player seeming only so willing to make the big hit of the Clondalkin 12, with more than the one challenge being a bit on the illegal side but no more illegal than when Donal made his return to Gordon Park when he left us for the Guards. 

 
    
Clanes pressure eventually told and they got over for a deserved converted try just before the break. Coach Paul Haycock seen fit to make changes and brought off diminutive flanker Mike Ryder in order to replace him with club captain and man mountain Dan Fitzpatrick. The added bulk in the second half seen Clon assert themselves on the game but Clanes defense were always going to be tough to break down. Chris Jebb finally registered Clons first points of the day with 15 minutes remaining. This set up a tense final fifteen minutes. Clon asserted pressure and were rewarded three penalties from outside the 10 metre line. Chris Jebb attempted the penalties but the difficult wind made the attempts all but impossible. Clon got desperate with time running out and began throwing the ball about and were prepared to run from deep. However, Clane scrambled well and registered a 7-3 victory that Clon can have very little to argue about.

     

Club captain Dan Fitzpatrick had this to say “I’m really disappointed with the result today but we can have no complaints. The boys gave their all but Clane were really up for this game like no other. We have the week to think about it but we have massive games coming up against Athy and Ashbourne and you never know it may come down to our trip to Ashbourne to find out who gets second spot in the league”
 
    ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:58:38 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.clondalkinrugby.com/home/1st-team-report-clane-7-vs-clondalkin-3/</link><guid>http://www.clondalkinrugby.com/home/1st-team-report-clane-7-vs-clondalkin-3/</guid></item></channel></rss>