Senior Weekend Report 11 Jan 09

Ashbourne (5) vs Clondalkin 1st XV (10)
Ashbourne (10) vs Clondalkin 2nd XV (10)
Clondalkin 3rd XV (10) vs CYM Terenure (5)
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Ashbourne (5) vs Clondalkin 1st XV (10)
Clondalkin were chameleon like in victory over Ashbourne last Sunday, producing a defensive display worthy of rugby’s top tier on a pitch of AIL quality.

The Gordon Park side literally tackled their way to a triumph that’s importance was emphasised by rare Kenny O’Brien celebrations at the final whistle.

It has been rumored the last time coach O’Brien broke a rugby related smile was when he lead a brilliant under-18 side into the All Ireland final. Such was the importance of Sunday’s victory; however, the final whistle prompted O’Brien to do his best dancing dad impression along with fellow coach Rob Hayes.

Ironically while all others around them were wild in celebration the hero, albeit a reluctant hero, of the hour Paul Fitzgerald didn’t even sport a smile at full time.

Probably the clubs greatest ever attacking player was made some brilliant cover tackles, especially in the first half, and fittingly popped up for the all important try in the second as Clondalkin took a mid table berth in their inaugural Leinster League Division 2 campaign.

Blustery conditions dictated the early proceedings as neither side imposed themselves on the game. Ashbourne were dominating against a proven and strong Clon scrum, but couldn’t take advantage when they attempted to cross the gain line.

Getting in behind the tackling line has never seemed a problem for Brian Doyle and a trade mark pick and go saw him break clear, meaning he became the only player to threaten to cross the white wash in the opening stages.

Kev Hanlon was then sent to the bin for a rucking indiscretion and Clon were instantly put on the back foot. Despite being forced to defend for long periods, however, Clondalkin were resolute and looked comfortable without the ball.

The backline was defensively determined and well organised and their pressure approach began to force Ashbourne mistakes. The pack were also impressive and showed great discipline in not conceding kickable penalties.

When the full quota was restored Clon eventually began to shade territory and possession and after his ten minute rest number eight Kev Hanlon picked brilliantly off another retreating scrum and won the visitors a penalty.

Steve Cunningham stepped up a slotted confidently from just inside the opposition half to give Clon a 3-0 lead. Almost instantly Fitzgerald produced a brilliant cover tackle to ensure that lead remained intact going into the turn.

Ashbourne started the second half the brighter of the two but missed an early chance to level. However they remained on top but once more the Clon defense held firm. Paul Nolan was again registering an abundance of hits and the diminutive Mark Molly shut closed the 10 channel. Dan Fitzpatrick and Doyle were mammoth in the tight and anything that went wide was either sent back were it came from by Philly Byrne and Fitzgerald or was apprehensively knocked on. Cunningham’s boot was also providing temporary reprieve.

Fitzgerald then popped up with a vital intercept mid way through the half sending the Clondalkin packed shed into wild celebrations as he raced home from half way to make it 8-0. Cunningham then added the extra’s to further extend a lead that was worth the 5euro entrance fee alone. Paul later had this to say about his try, “I dedicate this to Pete. He should never have been dropped. Bring Back Pete, Bring back Pete. Fitzgerald Brothers rule the world”. This is a departure for Paul who has dedicated all his other tries of the season to his beloved girlfriend Gosha.

From that point on it was all Ash as they tried to reduce and over turn the deficit, but again they failed to find passage past a determined Clon defense. Seany Brennan proved he is one of the best second rows in the league with two try saving tackles. Doyle and Simon King also made crucial interventions as did most of the team, but Ash set up a tense finish with a try with just ten minutes to go.

Once more Clon were on the back foot but once more they tackled like their lives depended on it. Huge and essential hits were made at regular intervals with key contributions coming from Byrne, Doyle, Fitzpatrick, Kevin Kelly and Nolan, as Clon held out to record an important away victory.



Ashbourne (10) vs Clondalkin 2nd XV (10)
Jonny Stapleton

Clondalkin’s ever improving seconds secured another moral victory after a hard fought away draw with second place Ashbourne last Sunday afternoon.

It seems time, however, for the second string to upgrade triumphs of the moral kind to wins that secure points.

Clon once again matched high flying opposition but once more seemed to lack a ruthless streak and as a result failed to register a deserved win.

There were certainly a lot of positives the Gordon Park natives can take from the game. They were aggressive and organised without the ball, forcing their hosts into numerous mistakes, battled well when under pressure and created more scoring opportunities than their opponents. But despite aforementioned and dominating in large parts, Clondalkin had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Clon started brightly and despite suffering against a solid scrum were dominating possession and territory. Tackle junky Paul Hickey was getting his fix in brilliant and regular fashion, Andy Tyndal was showing a good appreciation of space and Simon Comisky was making ground around the fringes.

Despite the positive start and wind advantage, however, Clon found themselves trailing 10-0 after just 15 minutes. The home scrum half registering an early penalty and a fine individual try.

From then on in though Clon didn’t look like conceding with the likes of Sean Dunne, Tyndal, Hickey, Derek Murtagh and a tenacious Brian Berry frustrating Ashbourne’s attempts to move the ball.

And once in possession the visitors began to create scoring opportunities with Tyndall coming close to opening the away account with a number of drop goal attempts and some long range penalties. The break through Clon’s all round play deserved finally came when Karl Horan produced a bit of individual magic to register his second try of the season. The young winger fielded a clearing kick, at the second attempt, in uncharacteristic conventionally legged fashion. Tyndall converted a touch line hugging effort to ensure to leave Clon within three at the turn.

Ashbourne, a side with league title aspirations, came out all guns blazing in the second half, but Clon weathered the early storm and began to impose themselves on the game once more.

The visitors were defensively solid defending with tenacity and as a team and never really looked like conceding. Unfortunately for one of the most talented second strings the club has had in recent history they never really came close to scoring either, as the sides canceled each other out.

Clondalkin were producing a gallant and admirable effort against a stiff breeze and did level with an Andy Tyndall penalty, but despite fine performances throughout the side couldn’t register a winner.

Clondalkin now sit third in the table while Ashbourne are one place ahead of them in second. The result guarantee’s Clon a top five finish in their first outing in Division 2.

Clondalkin 3rd XV (10) vs CYM Terenure (5)
Clondalkins 3rd fifteen continued their unbeaten run for the season against CYM Terenure on Saturday and established themselves as firm favourites for the J4 league in the process. Clondalkin started the game playing uphill and into the wind and were the first to register a score when Chris Australia barged over from 2 metres out following strong carries from Eamonn Stapleton, Simon Comiskey and Frank Lynam. Outhalf and captain Jeff Gallagher missed his first of seven kicks for the day from the conversion. A wonderful move started by scrum half Paul Sexton put Frank "Slow Motion" Lynam clear with 40 metres to the line but unfortuneatly for Frank his aging legs did not have the speed to make the line. Clondalkin went to sleep towards the end of the half and allowed the CYM scrum half to pick and go from the base of a ruck unchallenged resulting in an easy try for the visitors.

Clondalkin started the second half eager to avenge this error and 46 year Mick O Brien looked set to register his second try of the season before fumbling the ball metres from the line. Clondalkin dominated territory and should have picked up more scores but Gallaghers poor kicking had first team coaches questioning their decision to use him as kicking cover for the firsts. Clondalkins superiority started to show through and it was Bren Ward who sealed the win with a try that ended a 4 year drought for the veteran second row/ number 8. The match ended 10-5 and Clondalkin now sit nine points clear at the top of the league with only four games remaining.

The win was hard fought but it was testament to the defense of centre pairing Eamonn Stapleton and John Nolan that former Ireland U20 star, Doctor Ed Whelan, was unable to impact the game in any way. Thirds captain Gallagher had this to say following the victory, "I asked the boys to be stormtroopers today and they all were".

Added by Murts January 11, 2009 (6:02PM)

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