Good things come to those who wait

Leinster League Division 2 promotion relegation playoff
Clondalkin 57

Railway Union 5

Jonny Stapleton

IT was billed as the most important game in the clubs history and Clondalkin rugby firsts certainly produced a performance worthy of the occasion to ensure they will compete in the new look Leinster League Division 2 next term.

Clon dominated the winner takes all battle, which was contested on neutral territory in UCD, from beginning to end and registered an amazing 7 trys against the recent Division 1 residents.

Demotion to Division 3 would certainly have been a massive set back for the club, but the players fashioned a performance to guarantee the Gordan Park natives will progress rather that regress in the Leinster league.

The large Clondalkin supports nerves were slightly settled by a positive start from their team and an early Stevie Cunningham penalty.

Colm Tighe who was part of a back row that shared a mammoth 25 points, set the bar with an all action start, but there was a slight concern the Clon were not making full advantage of their early dominance.

Clondalkin never looked under any severe pressure and were governing all the personal battles but didn’t keep the score board ticking over.

That was until the clubs all time top scorer scored probably the most important try of his prolific career. Paul Fitzgerald benefited from incisive run and delicate pass from his younger brother Peter Fitzgerald to race over in the corner.

Cunningham added the extras and Clondalkin never looked back.

The magnificent Tighe, who left the club for the Gaurds a number of years ago after a disappointing defeat to Sundays opponents Railway, was full of ball caring menace obviously determined not to be on the losing side this time round and scored his sides second moments later.

Again Peter Fitzgerald’s pace was instrumental, his chase from Cunningham’s clever kick forced his opposing winger to concede a five meter line out which the pack drove over the line giving Tighe the easiest of finishes.

Tighe’s backrow colleauge then helped make it 22-0 when he didn’t just block but caught a Union to canter home under the posts.

Thunder boomed as half time approached but not even the emergence of black clouds could dampen Clons spirits and the party started early when the tenacious Tighe made it 27-0 after more great work from the younger of the two Fitzgeralds and the pack.

Railway did threaten a revival after the break when they scored early on, but apart from that one breach the Clon defense literally tackled like their Division 2 lives depended on it.

Philly Byrne and Cunningham with some huge man and ball hits and once they weathered the storm they went on to further hammer the nail in the Railway coffin.

The scrum was immense literally destroying the opposing eight come scrummage time and Seany Brennan benefited when Clon amazing registered an against the head push over try.

Cunnigham rounded of a fine personal performance when he powered over from close range to further extend the advantage before the impressive Brennan crossed the white wash for his second after good work from Jeff Gallagher.

Fittingly captain Mark Molloy rounded of he rout and the most important victory in the clubs history, obviously sparking wild celebrations in the process.

Added by Murts May 9, 2008 (7:54AM)

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