Seconds March into Quarter Final

Clondalkin Seconds overcame their most formidable opponents to date with a display of bravery and courage that is befitting of the team spirit that has been built up over the course of the year. Playing Birr’s first team they were forced to dig deep to pull the win out of the bag against an opponent who came to Gordon Park on the back of a big win over Arklow RFC.

















Play centred around the half way line for the first twenty minutes with both teams using their big ball carriers to try to burst holes in the opposing teams defence but with little or no effect.

The first scoring chance came after Keith Doyle chased up his own kick putting the defensive full back under immense pressure forcing a knock on on the 5 metre line. Maori burst from the base of the subsequent scrum and grounded the ball over the line only for the referee to be unable to see clearly whether or not the ball had been grounded which meant he was unable to award the try. Clon were awarded another scrum from which the Birr scrum half strayed offside handing an easy kick to Eddie Martens. Eddie duley converted and Clondalkin were off the mark. Birr responded with some big hits from the kick off which were taking their toll on the Clondalkin pack. Manager Shane Dunne realising that the Clondalkin pack was beginning to creak made the call to withdraw Derek Murtagh and replace him with prop cum number 8 Simon Comiskey. Cummos impact was to be felt straight away as he managed to get his frame under the ball following a Birr drive which forced the Clondalkin pack over their try line. This try saving intervention meant that Clondalkin went into the break 3-0 up.

Birr opened up the scoring in the second half which tied the game at 3-3. Given the physical nature of the game it was no surprise when the Birr scrum half responded to being driven off the ball by the flying Phily Byrne with a display of pugilism that would be right at home in the Madison Square Garden. The encounter between the two had all but teetered out when several more of the Birr players decided to get involved. All credit must go to the referee for bringing the game under control by handing out yellow cards to the two initial combatants. A fired up Phily Byrne returned to the pitch ten minutes later and with his first touch of the ball he supplied Alaric Habana with the killer pass which resulted in the first try of the game. Eddie just missed with the conversion making the score 8-3.

Clondalkin received a penalty soon after the try which this time was converted by Eddie. Birr responded with an uncoverted try which was somewhat deserved for the hard work put in by their forwards during the game leaving the scores at 11-8.

The game was still tight going into the last ten minutes but big carries from Maori, Dan and Bren forced a penalty close to the touch line. In years gone by Clon would have went to the corner looking for the big play but this year they have benefited from the fact that they have a 70% kicking man in Eddie Martens. Captain Dan Fitzpatrick opted to take the points. Eddie was able to control his nerves in a way that he has never been able to control his mouth and slotted what turned out to be the final score of the game.

Birr came back looking for the match winning try but Clondalkin were not to be denied and the game was sealed when Lithuainian international Reggie Panther aided outhalf Phily Byrne in ripping the ball from his opposite number which was then supplied to Eddie Martens who delivered the ball to touch ending the game.

Next game is Ashbourne at home and Clondalkin can be confident of overcoming their Division 1 opponents given the results from todays game. The forwards will be confident given the fact that they have overcame the team boasting one of the most ferocious packs in Leinster rugby and the backs are without doubt hitting top form at the end of the season.

Added by Murts April 3, 2008 (2:01PM)

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