Clon Killed Kenny

Towns Plate
Clondalkin 22 Kilkenny 19
Article byJonny Stapleton

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Clondalkin survived a late scare in Gordon Park last Sunday afternoon to record another impressive victory securing a Towns Plate semi final place in the process.

With fifteen minutes remaining Clondalkin held a 16 point advantage and looked comfortable against a quality Kilkenny side but pressed the self destruct button late in the second half allowing the visitors back into the game.

The infamous self destruct button however must have malfunctioned and the host managed to hold on at the death and continued their recent run of good form by-just like the South Park writers loved to do- killing Kenny's cup hopes.

Clondalkin will now play Portarlington in semi final of the prestigious competition.

Clon, who threw away a 12-0 lead in the corresponding league fixture, made a bright start against a side who just missed out on automatic promotion from Division 2 and opened up a 6-3 lead thanks to the boot of Steve Cunningham.

The remainder of the half however was virtually tit for tat. Kilkenny upped their efforts and were making some yards via their busty first centre and their tricky wingers. Clon copped defensively though thanks in particular to back row trio that brought great underage success to the club.

Products of the clubs youth system Simon King, Paul Nolan and Paul McDermott, who won the Leinster League at under-16 and 18, along with former underage team mate, scrum half and the Gordon Park side’s fourth flanker Al O’Brien all made vital defensive contributions under a brief spell of pressure.

The boots of Cunningham, who was heavily involved throughout and Alan Hickey also provided relief during that period.

Clon did eventually get a grip back on proceedings and began to dominate once more. And after a line break from Philly Byrne and some quality support play from O’Brien, Chris Kelly and Hickey they registered the games first try.

Nolan made a break from the ensuing ruck and found Dan Fitzpatrick in support. The big second row instantly hulked up and gave two Kilkenny players a free piggy back ride to the line but was stopped millimeters out.

However, the opportunistic Tom Duffy was on hand to ensure Fitzpatrick’s work wasn’t in vain and scored a try from literally twenty two millimeters out. The prop, who enjoyed another good day in the scrum, used to good effect the gloves he had borrowed from front row buddy Bruiser Doyle to role the ball on to the line and make 11-3 at half time.

That lead was extended shortly after the break as substitute Kev Hanlon provide the side line with something to shout about, some light comic relief for all in attendance and Steve Cunningham a chance to add another three points.

The big talented number eight broke from the scrum before breaking numerous Kilkenny tackles. He then proceeded albeit unwilling pull the biggest moaner Gordon Park has ever seen seconds before Cunningham made it 14-3 to Clondalkin to a superb drop kick.

That 11 point lead was soon stretched to 16 when Nolan took a break from his impressive defensive duties to take a pop of Kelly, who had broke down the blind after more ball wrecking from Hanlon, and touched down.

At 19-3 up and with the likes of Hickey, Nolan, Fitzpatrick and Cunningham all impressive Clon looked comfortable and destined for a comfortable win against the quality visiting side.

True to form, however, the hosts wanted to ensure the home crowd got value for money and attempted to make the tie as dramatic as possible by allowing the visitors back into the game.

A silly penalty saw the visitors eat into the deficit. Kilkenny soon had a surplus, not on the scoreboard, but on the field as Duffy was binned. Fortunately for Clondalkin powerful 23 year old prop Conor Maloney –who somehow propped against the referee when he was just 3 years old?-ensured the man deficit wasn’t felt in the scrum or the tight.

The visitors however, began to take advantage out wide and further shortened the arrears.

Their second centre benefiting from one of the many powerful line breaks from his midfield partner before touching down impressively and celebrating with an embarrassing 60 second soccer style finger wag.

The finger wag was nearly on show again minutes latter as the same player side stepped his way to the line, but he unselfishly passed to his winger, who touched down to make it 19-18 with seven minutes remaining.

A tense finale ensued as Kilkenny pushed for a winning score. Al Hickey won a penalty and provided temporary relief from the visiting pressure by finding touch but Clon soon conceded possession and were under pressure again.

When the hard ground ensured what looked like a perfect Philly Byrne clearing kick bounced dead it seemed like it wasn’t going to be Clon’s day. But the Gordon Park side defended the ten metre scrum well and in the dying minutes put four points between the sides.

Scrum half O’Brien chased down his own wayward kick and managed to win a penalty for his side in typical flanker style which Cunningham tacked over to leave it 22-18 at the final whistle.

Added by Murts April 6, 2009 (3:52PM)

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