Clon Firsts Leave Athy on a HIGH?

Article by Jonny Stapleton

Athy RFC 3 Clondalkin RFC 34

Having two birthday boys in the first 15 ensured the beers were flowing Clondalkin Rugby Club on Saturday night, but the cork was popped on the champagne in Athy hours earlier, as the Gordon Park side opened the new season with a sensational Hoise Cup win.Clon got the party started early producing a brand of rugby that was not only as aesthetically pleasing as Beyonce but as successful and profitable as her singing.

Brilliant individual tries in the first half from last seasons top scorer Garry Donnelly and new boy Derek Glenon were topped up with terrific team tries from Mark Molloy, Chris Jebb Sean Brennan after the turn.Even more pleasing for the first team coaches Kenny O’Brien and Paul ‘Hitch’ Haycock was the fact the first string substituted style for steal when it was most needed. Despite being under the pressure for a substantial period in the second half Clondalkin displayed enough organisation, determination and fitness to ensure their line remained intact.

Clon made a bright start to the game and it wasn’t long before they stole ahead. Winger Donnelly, who is literally lethal in the loose, pounced on a wayward pass before dazzling six would be defenders en-route to his and Clon’s first try of the season.The visitors continued to apply themselves over the next 30 minutes with Ray Kelly, who kept both the referee and opposition ruckers busy, excelling on his return to first team action. Youthful centres Niall Nolan, 18 and prodigal son Gavin Greene also produced a mature performance with and without the ball.

Alan Hickey taking it the Athy Centre<

Green, who later in the evening celebrated his 21st, seemed to have been gifted the key to Athy defence and the pad lock to Clondalkins. The former Leinster underage player inspired a number of visiting attacks whilst ensuring that the hosts advances were fruitless.However, despite dominating Clon only had a Chris Jebb penalty to show for their efforts until second row Rob Dever fed fellow forward Glennon just short of the 22. The flanker burst through the first line of defence before following his power with pace and racing home under the post.

Jebb then added the extra’s to leave the referee’s score card reading 15-0 at the turn.Athy struck a peculiar drop goal to draw first blood after the break, but it turned out to be only a flesh wound for the visitors and they went on to slice open the Athy defence to further extend their advantage.A solid rolling maul rumbled into the home 22 and presented Mark Molloy with a chance to break down the blind. The diminutive scrum half clambered down short side and sold an expensive dummy to the opposition winger to cash in with a try.The very impressive Jebb added the extra’s and Clondalkin were in cruise control.

Another blind side dart by pint sized Molloy eventually lead to the next score. Quickly recycled ball found its way to the ever composed Al Hickey and he invited Green to break the first line of defence with a long pass, Green then offloaded to Nolan, who in turn gifted Jebb with the chance to add a try to his kicking tally.Athy did attempt a revival and upped it a gear, but Clondalkin were in no need to concede. Brian Doyle, Dan Fitzpatrick, Green, Paul McDermot, Hickey and Chris Kelly amongst others put their bodies on the line to ensure no Athy bodies crossed the visiting try line.

However, if Clon were resolute without the ball they were remarkable with it. They employed a new running game attacking from deep were possible and it wasn’t long before they wrapped up an opening day win.Glenon showed super strength to drive into the home 22 before Seanie Brennan, who like Kevin Cullen impressed off the bench, took a lovely line of number 8 McDermott to race clear under the posts wrapping up a 34-3 victory in the process.

CRTV Interview with First team captain

Added by admin August 29, 2010 (4:24PM)

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