Clondalkin Lose to Longford

Leinster League Division 2

Longford 12

Clondalkin 11

Clondalkin captain Dan Fitzpatrick is employing the ‘better late than never’ adage as he tries to keep the Gordon Park’s premier side motivated for the push to Division 1.

Clon’s automatic promotion hopes took a massive blow on Sunday, as defeat for them against Champion’s Longford and victory for Ashbourne away to Roscrea saw Clondalkin over taken by the Meath side.

With just one game to go Ashbourne are now in promotion pole and favourites to secure Division 1 status next Sunday, but Fitzpatrick is still confident the Dublin side can upgrade to their highest ever league standing.

The back door promotion relegation play off provides Clondalkin with a last chance saloon, whilst victory for the Gordon Park side against Kilkenny and defeat for Ashbourne on the final day of the season will see Clon go straight up.

A superb long range drop goal from Steve Cunningham and a Chris Jebb penalty gave the visitors a 6-3 lead at the turn, but Longford kicked their way back in front after the break.

Fitzpatrick did cross the white wash to register his seventh try of the season and get Clon, who have now lost their last three, within a point but despite a late charge they couldn’t get score that would have won them the game and set on course for a historic promotion.

Despite the defeat Fitzpatrick remained positive and stressed Clon’s promotion dream is not dead, just on its sick bed.

“I thought the performance today was great. I am really proud of the lads. We gave it our all and lost to deserving champions. Everyone in Clondalkin would like to congratulate Longford on their sucess” Fitzpatrick told CRTV.

“There is no point in being down about it. It is better to get promoted on the last day than never. We have to pick ourselves up and move on. Our promotion destiny is still in our own hands. If we beat Kilkenny next weekend and Ashbourne lose- in what is a very tricky game to Clane- we go up. If not then we have a chance in the relegation promotion play off. We need to stand together as a club now and all focus on getting into Division 1. Instead of being down we should remember we are closer to Division 1 than we ever have been. We are not out of the race we just slipped and we have to react and take all our frustration on Kilkenny next week. At this moment in time Kilkenny is the biggest game in this clubs history.”

Added by Gwen March 31, 2011 (8:39AM)

This article hasn't been commented yet.