Clondalkin 2nds (29) vs Clane (7)

Dave Behan turned from Clondalkin rugby villain to hero with a try scoring performance that booked the Gordon Park side a Hoise Cup semi final spot while simultaneously propelling them to the top of the Provisional Leinster Seconds League.

The man bemoaned as the catalyst behind the grueling City West Friday spinning session is now been praised for his try scoring antics in a very strong Clon second string.

Behan made it four tries in two games for the hosts touching down along with Ken McMahon and Conor Maloney to ensure a bonus point victory for the hosts in a game against a previously unbeaten Clane that doubled up as a Hoise Cup quarter final and Leinster League tie.

With a double reward at stake Clon made an appropriately competitive start and took an early lead via the boot of Andy Tyndall.

Clon continued to impress in the early exchanges and it was clear they had the capabilities to dominate the set piece and up front in general.

While any early threat was marshaled and aggressively discouraged by Bren Ward, Derek Murtagh and Geoghan.

After shading all the early exchanges Clon went about translating their dominance into scores.

And after upping the anti both Ward and Behan both crossed the white wash but had their tries disallowed for a knock on and a foot in touch respectfully.

It wasn’t long however before the hosts touched down to extend their lead. Behan coming in off his wing and taking full advantage of a disguised Tyndall pass to race in under the posts. Young Tyndall added the extras and Clon raced 10 clear.

Clon continued to dominate and only a little bit of greed and some misfortune prevented them from increasing their advantage.

Even the departure of the impressive Murtagh didn’t hamper the host in fact his replacement in the back row, Bren Ward man aged to raise the defensive bar and increase even further the aggression stakes.

Clon continued to look defensively solid throughout and impressive going forward. Lee Beresford looked potent with ball in hand and regular scorer Paul Fitzgerald seemed intent on allowing those around him to take over the try scoring mantle with a very creative performance.

But a lack of experience and occasional moments of greed prevented Clon from putting the result beyond doubt well before the interval much to the disappointment of a manic Martin Cullen on the side line.

However when the game defining score did arrive it proved well worth the wait.

An intricate and aesthetically pleasing Clon attack that began in their own 22 and involved some lovely running from the likes of Cumminsky, Ward, Horan, Behan as well as nice hands from Fitzgerald and Tyndall ended with a routine and somewhat ugly yet powerful finish from Ken McMahon.

Clon began the second half just as they had ended the first, on the attack and registered their third try soon after the turn around.

A superb drive by the pack fell just short of the line but Mark Duggan, who was solid throughout, recycled the ball quickly and fed big Conor Maloney.

Just inches short the prop elected against using the over lap-much to the winger, who stood between him and the line disappointment- instead deciding to knock the would be tackler back into the dead zone and touch down to leave Tyndall to make it 24-0.

With a bonus point on the horizon Clon went in search of a fourth try.

On two occasions it seemed like Behan had registered that bonus point ensuring fourth after being teed up by Ali Collier, but both efforts were ruled out. The first for a forward pass and the second for a foot in touch.

And a lack of concentration after that second disallowed try allowed Clane to take advantage and cross the white wash with a break away effort.

A visiting come back never looked on the cards however and the Gordon Park side continued to make an unbeaten Clane outfit look ordinary.

Ward and Geoghan continued to impress in and around the ruck and in defense while Jeff Cribbon, Maloney, Collier and Behan amongst others were impressing going forward.

The fourth try the host all round play deserved eventually arriveda and again it was well worth waiting for. This time Fitzgerald teeing up Behan finished down the tram lines to make it 29-7.

A ridiculous amount of injury time allowed Clon to pursue more scores but the closest they came was an equally ridiculous Horan attempted drop goal but even that gruber like drop couldn’t take the gloss of an impressive victory.

Comments (0) Added by Murts October 27, 2009 (6:02PM)

Kevin Cullen announced as 2nd Team Captain

Kevin 'The Polar Bear' Cullen was announced as second team captain at last weeks football committee meeting. Kevin who has been playing with the first team for the past number of seasons was in the running to take this years first team player of the year award at the recent AGM had it not been for the superb form of Paul Nolan. Speaking exclusively to Clondalkinrugby.com Kevin had this to say about his decision "The strength in depth at this club has been improving year on year so we must set our targets on taking first place in the league. It will be no easy challenge given the strength of some of the other teams around but i am confident that the team has the capability of setting down a marker early in the season. I will be looking to get some of the players who have slipped through the net in recent years back involved with the club and would be delighted to hear from anyone interested in getting back involved".

Comments (0) Added by Murts June 15, 2009 (8:33AM)

Dara Cill off 2nds Season

Provincial Seconds Towns Plate Quarter Final
Cill Dara 31 vs Clondalkin 6
Article by Jonny Stapleton
Click on Continue reading for full report

Continue reading Comments (0) Added by Murts April 6, 2009 (2:38PM)

2nds Report: Drum feel Clons Rath

Article and spelling by Jonny Stapleton
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Continue reading Comments (0) Added by Murts February 24, 2009 (12:24PM)

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