Clondalkin Vs Longford

Article by Jonny Stapleton Clondalkin’s first team hit the self destruct button in Gordon Park last weekend and literally blew up their chances of going top of the table.

Clondalkin looked comfortable and well on their way to victory, boasting a 20-0 lead after just 25 minutes of what proved to be a very exiting top of the table clash.

However, visitors Longford produced the greatest comeback since Lazarus to ensure they and not their hosts reign as Leinster League Division 2 champions elect this weekend.

Considering what was at stake the reverse was always going to be disappointing but the manner in which it came left Clondalkin fuming.

The host were masters of your own down fall throwing away a 20 point home advantage and their top of the table ambitions in 50 under par minutes.

Clondalkin couldn’t have made a brighter start to the game dominating from the opening whistle.

The inform Chris Jebb leading the way registering and penalty and a drop goal to extend further his impressive points tally and ensuring the hosts had the 6-0 lead their early play deserved.

The Clondalkin scrum has pushed Jebb for the title of Clon’s standout performer in recent weeks and fittingly the set piece was the catalyst for the hosts next score.

For the second week in a row the front eight drove over from five yards allowing Paul McDermott to touch down. Jebb added the extra’s to give Clon a 13 lead with 15 minutes gone.

Former AIL player Jebb then added to his personal tally crossing the white wash after he reacted quickest to a sloppy bit of Longford play and converted to make it 20-0.

By that stage the home side line began dreaming of a bonus point shut out, but league leaders Longford had other ideas and turned a potentail drubbing into a bonus point win of their own.

They literally mauled their way back into the tie trudging over from 20 yards to reduce the deficit before being gifted a score by their host just before the break. A series of miss tackles allowed the visitors to touch down before a penalty allowed them to reduce the arrears to just three come the interval.

　 Things went from bad to much much worse after the turn around for Clondalkin.

Longford completed the comeback and went ahead straight from the restart before going on to register three more tries before full time.

Niall Nolan did notch a consolation score for the Gordon Park side with his second try in two games.

Meanwhile the club’s flying second string succeeded were their first team counterparts failed and ensured they remain top of the Provisional Seconds League pile with a compressive victory.

Clon’s inform side maintained their unbeaten status with a nine try salvo against Longford. Ben ‘10’ Foran opened and closed the scoring. Paul Fitzgerald, Ali Collier and veteran forwards Bren Ward and Maurice Featherstone also got in on the act. Whilst in form wingers Carl Horan and Matthew ‘Veggie’ Brocklebank registered sensational efforts to maintain their rich vein of scoring form. Vice captain Ken hollywood McMahon and Lee beresford also registered tries in the land slide win.

Added by admin November 17, 2010 (1:19AM)

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