Carlow (16) vs Clondalkin (9)

Remax Towns Plate 12 Feb 07 By Jonny Stapleton
An undisciplined opening ten minutes cost Clondalkin RFC a major scalp and a first ever Towns victory under the lights of Oak Park last Tuesday night.
The visitors dominated possession and territory throughout the tie but conceded eight consecutive penalties in the opening seven minutes, which in turn enabled AIL side, Carlow’s second string to open up what proved to be an insurmountable ten point lead.

The host took full advantage of a series of penalised rucking infringements to place themselves deep into the Clondalkin 22 after just three minutes of play, and proceeded to open the score when a neatly worked move left outhalf Tom Purcell with a clean run under the posts.

Carlow took full advantage of further indiscipline just seconds later when a penalty conceded on the halfway line was questioned by Colm Tighe, the referee answered the back rows inquiry by bringing the ball forward ten yards enabling the impressive Whyte to make it 10-0 after just 7 minutes,

Tighe, who lasted just 27 seconds on his last visit to Oak Park, continued to debate the adjudicators decision making abilities and found himself on the sidelines very early on for a second time after seeing yellow.

But rather than buckle the visitors rose to the challenge and dominated the remainder of the half.

Carlow had no answer for the exceptional Clondalkin pack.

The Gordon Park native’s dominated the scrum thanks to super work from the front five and were making massive ground via the maul with both Connor Maloney and Finbarr Butler excelling in the tight.

Carlow did attempt to attack out wide but were hampered by a super defensive display from 17 year old Andy Tyndall who enjoyed an impressive first start for the visitors.

A huge hit by the tenacious Carlow captain Ratahi was all that prevented Maloney from reducing the deficit after a close range tap penalty, but some more unruliness this time by the home side enabled Clon to get back into the game.

Stevie Cunningham punished the indiscipline by slotting two penalties to leave it 10-6 at the turn, but after over 30 minutes of dominance, superior territory and possession the hosts would have been delighted to be still leading the Leinster League Division 3 side.

A shuddering charge by Carlow resident and Clondalkin winger Ali Collier set the tone for a hard fought and tense second half.

The Clondalkin Pack were again superior and after punching their way to the opposition 22 came close to line on numerous occasions.

Strong ball carrying by Brian “Bruiser” Doyle, Tighe and Maurice Featherstone was only repelled by super last ditch tackling by the Oak Side pack.

The Gordon park native also came close to walking a scrum over but just couldn’t cross the line.

Sensing a complete collapse the Carlow management made wholesale changes to the front five and as a result eventually found passage out of their own half and lifted the Clondalkin siege.

A tense and somewhat ill tempered battle ensued as both teams pursued the all important next score.

Clondalkin did look the most likely, but they failed to create out wide and after a huge effort their pack began to tire.

The visitors did had one clear chance to put massive pressure on their country counterparts when they could have got within a single point with 15 minutes still to play, but elected to run the ball rather take the points.

The absence of Paul Nolan severely hindered the visitor’s line out option and a second call of nature for the impressive Seany Brennan lessened the effectiveness of the set play even further.

With the experienced Barry Waddock now dominating the line out Clondalkins most potent threat the catch and drive was gone and Carlow finished the game the stronger of the two sides.

A Jeff Gallagher penalty did get Clon within just four, but an impressive drop goal by Whyte restored Carlows seven point lead right at the death.

However, despite defeat Clondalkin will take huge heart from the performance and will bring renewed confidence into the end of season promotion push.

Added by Murts February 13, 2008 (4:16PM)

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