2nds Lucky to get away with win

Mullingar (15) vs Clondalkin (16)
05 October 08
Clondalkin seconds overcame Offaly opposition for the second time in two weeks to maintain their unbeaten record in Leinster League Division 2 Seconds. Having overcome a gutsy Edenderry team the week previous the Clondalkin natives travelled to the midlands in confident mood of taking victory over a team that they had emphatically beaten only a couple of months earlier.
However, this confidence was wiped away within twenty minutes as the Gordon Park men went 12-3 down early on. The Mullingar team that offered little resistance in the Towns Cup last April had transformed themselves into a well drilled defensive unit with strike runners capable of making serious yards if given the space to do so. The home team carried a deserved 12-3 lead into the break and looked all set to go and pick up more scores in the second half.
Clondalkin came out in the second half somewhat more abrasive and were determined to ensure that their try line was not crossed again. Excellent line out jumping from club veteran Finbar Butler and the returning Colm McHugh saw the Clondalkin men start to take more control of the game. The increased amount of possession meant that substitute winger Pete Fitzgerald was starting to see more and more of the ball. With fifteen minutes to go in the game Pete made a break into the opposition 22 only to be hit late by the Mullingar fullback following a deft chip kick. Mullingar were reduced to 14 men for this indiscretion. Man Mountain Dan ‘Shingles’ Fitzpatrick was sprung from the bench for the resulting scrum and cantered over from the base with the defending team afraid to tackle him for fear of what they might catch.
Mullingar defended bravely for the next 10 minutes but no sooner had they been restored to 15 men did they have another player sent to the bin this time for reckless use of the boot. This penalty allowed Clondalkin kick down the line into attacking territory. Colm McHugh rose well in the line out to take the ball and set up a mall. Mullingar brought the mall down successfully but yet again they decided to stamp on a Clondalkin players head resulting in another penalty and sin binning. Clondalkin won the resulting line out and mauled close to the line before Colm Tighe capped a standout display by powering over to claim a lucky victory.
All in all, Clondalkin will feel relieved to have escaped with the victory but the players will know that they won despite almost all of them playing well below par. Strong performances from Colm Tighe and Pete Fitzgerald will see them pushing for some first team action soon. Next up is New Ross in a top of the table clash between two unbeaten teams. Clondalkin will need to deliver but with an imminent shake up the Gordon Park boys can look forward to next weeks game with relish.

Added by Murts October 6, 2008 (2:02PM)

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