O'Brien fires Clon to victory

Hoise Cup
Gordon Park , Sunday September 7
Clondalkin 12 North Kildare 7
Article by Jonny Stapleton

Scrum half Alan O’Brien returned from a year of injury hell to inspire Clondalkin to their third consecutive victory as well as their third consecutive win over North Kildare last Sunday.

Youth graduate O’Brien twice snipped from the base of the scrum to shoot down the challenge of the Maynooth based side with two well executed tries.

The win leaves Clondalkin unbeaten in the new campaign, but they certainly didn’t have it all their own way last weekend. North Kildare mounted a serious challenge as the hosts failed to impress in the second half, and but for a marvellous tackle by winger Gar Donnelly could have suffered defeat in their first home game of the season. Mid way through the second half the visitors appeared to have reaped the benefits of persistent pressure when they crossed the white wash out wide, but as they would be scorer casually headed towards the posts to ensure an easy conversion Tallaght native, Donnelly caught him off guard and along with Collie McHugh prevented him from touching down. In the end the pairs intervention proved as vital as O’Brien’s try scoring contribution.

The game couldn’t have got off to a better start for the hosts as O’Brien took full advantage of the new ELV’s to touch down after just 5 minutes, but the hosts failed to build on the good start.

The pack, which was devoid of six would be starters, was nothing short of sensational in the set piece dominating the scrum and the lineout, but when in possession Clon seemed a bit rushed and hurried.

O’Brien managed to settle home nerves midway through opening period when he exploited a gap on the half way line before evading three would be tacklers to touch down a fine individual under the posts.

The son of coach Kenny O’Brien was then denied what would have been a sensational first half hat trick when he was held up inches from the line after another fine break and the score remained 12-0 at the turn.

Clondalkin’s domination in the scrum and the lineout continued in the second half forcing the visitors to reshape their front row and refrain from kicking to touch. Again, however Clon failed to force home the advantage and in truth were on the back foot for the majority of the second half.

But superb defending by the likes of McHugh, Phily Byrne, Simon King, O’Brien, Paul Hickey and Donnelly ensured North Kildare couldn’t register the tries to reverse the score.

Added by Murts September 8, 2008 (3:40PM)

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