Clondalkin Firsts Win

Leinster League Division 2

Clondalkin 49

Roscrea 3

Title contenders Clondalkin showed no signs of rugby 'ring rust' in Gordon Park last Sunday and literally knocked the stuffing out of Roscrea in a lob sided dust up.

The club’s premier side came out fighting after a prolonged and enforced winter layoff, wracking up a bonus point victory before half time, before ensuring a standing eight count for the their opponents with four more trys before the final whistle.

Just falling one point short of the half century mark may suggest that old back line magic was in full flow but ironically it was the forward’s who were more effective try getters on the day.

All bar one of the Clondalkin trys was forward made and finished, as the home team completely dominated up front against the big country pack.

Clon started as they meant to go on with Brian ‘Brusier’ Doyle inflicting early pain on the visitors. The hooker took full advantage of an unsuccessful Dan Fitzpatrick burst for the line to finish right under the posts from all of 15 inches after just five minutes.

Chris Jebb, who was one missed conversion away from a 100% kicking record, added the extras and it wasn’t long before he was being called to convert again. Paul McDonnell, who was reunited in the back row with his underage team mates Paul Nolan and Simon King, registering his fifth try in four games and his fifth touch down since his last shave after a superb maul.

The visitors did attempt a response and managed to win a convert a penalty but the Clon front eight were in top form and rumbled another maul over the line after an impressive Niall Nolan break.

Kevin ’The Polar Bear’ Cullen then took advantage of some good Gary Donnelly, Any Dixon, whose hands were sensational throughout, and Doyle worked to double his season tally and secure the bonus point for the host.

Not to be outdone Fitzpatrick got in on the scoring act, racing home from all of 22 yards to enable Jebb to make 35-3 right on the stroke of half time. Clon became more experimental after the turn but despite still dominating couldn’t build on their lead.

Roscrea were a lot more resolute and the nasty element that crept into the game ensured the slightly ill tempered tie was full of interruptions.

One such break resulted in a yellow card for a dangerous tackle inflicted on the lively Nolan by his opposite winger. And with the man advantage Clon finally extended their sizeable advantage with arguably the best try of the game.

McDermott broke from eight before producing an off load that Sean O’Brien - the player, who ensured he was surplus to requirements in the Leinster underage set up - would have been proud of, before King and Doyle emulated the feat enabling Jebb to score the only back line try of the day.

Jebb, who injured himself crossing the line, eventually got of his sick bed to convert to make it 42-3 with 10 minutes remaining.

McDermott displayed both his good and bad side before the final whistle heralded the end of Clon’s most impressive performance this season. The number eight sent Simon King scampering home for a deserved try in the corner before being sent off after a 28 man melee.

Jonny Stapleton

Added by Gwen January 18, 2011 (1:48PM)

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