Clondalkin 3rds (27) v Edenderry (24)

Anderson Cup
Clondalkin 3rds (27) v Edenderry (24)
Article by Jonny Stapleton

CRAZY Horse may have inspired the Lakota Indians to victory in numerous battles over the U.S Federal Army, but it was the man the call Crazy Legs that instigated Clondalkin Rugby thirds dramatic odds defying victory in Gordon Park last weekend.

Carl “Crazy Legs” Horan secured the host a victory with the last play of the tie when he crossed the white wash for the third time in the game to transform a two point deficit into a three point advantage.

It was the perfect Hollywood ending to a drama packed encounter and fittingly came at the end of a brilliant team move. The pack literally mauled there way from the half way line to deep into the opposition 22 before their mammoth charge for the line was halted illegally; playing advantage Clon spread the ball wide and hat-trick hero Horan raced over to register the decisive score.

The mesmeric winger may have grabbed the headlines, but a superb team performance and a marvelous fighting spirit was the true catalyst behind the win.

When the chips and the player count was down Clon had to consult that aforementioned fighting spirit and kept their opponents to just one score when they were reduced to just 13 men.

Kingo was particularly impressive during that period- putting in a performance reminiscent of a young clean shaven Paddy Burke- as were the majority of the pack.

Clon looked the better side from the off and only poor decision making prevented them from opening up an early lead in a game that was to be nip and tuck all the way.

An intercept try from Mathew “Veggie” Brocklebank eventually broke the deadlock, but after the visitor pulled level Michael ensured Clon took a deserved first half lead into the turn with a powerful finish.

With the elements favoring Clon after the turn around and with a younger and fitter team at their disposal they looked odds on to secure a relatively comfortable win, but events seemed to transpire against them.

With the consumption of penalty after penalty Clon were on the back foot and played a lot of the second half without the full compliment.

Edenderry eventually reaped reward for their pressure when they took the lead with a converted effort, before Horan restored Clons half time advantage with an effort down the blind.

Again Edenderry hit back as the tit for tat nature of the game continued, but when Horan intercepted to run the length of the pitch and touch down under the post it appeared the hosts had done enough to win.

But the drama was to continue, the impressive Andy Tyndall elected to drop his conversion only to miss, meaning when the visitors converted their first penalty of the day with just five minutes to go they took a single point lead.

The hosts didn’t allow their heads to drop, however, and went desperately in search of a winning score. Tyndall came close with a penalty effort from the half way before Horan ensured a victory the hosts had a victory to savour with a last second effort.

Added by Murts March 28, 2008 (1:35PM)

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