Seconds struggle to extend their unbeaten run

Athy (17) vs Clondalkin (17) 20 Jan 08

The seconds made hard work of extending their unbeaten run and ended up having to settle for a less than impressive draw against their main rival for the runner up spot in the league. The travelling team had a decent start to the first half and the front row of Conor Caslin, Ken McMahon and Chris Australia proved more than just a match to their much bigger counterparts in the scrum which allowed captain Dan Fitzpatrick make some of his trademark breaks from the base of the scrum. The team were beginning to build some momentum when the referee inexplicably binned second row David “Happy” Gilmore for ten minutes. The game sprung to life soon after Gilmore’s return when Ali Habana sent Keith Doyle on a run from inside his own 22. However the move came to nothing when in broke down inside the opposition half. Clondalkin were keen to build on the position and after some brilliant lineout work from Bren Ward they went about setting up camp inside the visitors 22. Clondalkin were awarded a penalty after some good work by the forwards. First team regular Philip Byrne took it upon himself to take a quick tap and once again proved that he is unstoppable from 5 metres out crossing the whitewash with at least five Athy players hanging out of him. Eddie Martens obliged with the conversion and Clondalkin were beginning to click. Some more strange refereeing decisions followed which aggravated not only the Clondalkin players but the Athy team too. Clondalkin were beginning to turn the screw when Ciaran Brennan was sent over in the corner to make it 12-0 just before the break. The Clondalkin team went into the break with some great momentum and all the signs pointed to the game being sealed early in the second half. Clondalkin touched down early in the second half but Athy stormed back into the game by scoring the vital next try. The Clondalkin management uncharacteristically made some rash early substitutions and this seemed inspire the opposition. Athy were given a lifeline and showed the spirit that has made them one of Clondalkin’s most difficult opponents year on year in the whole of Leinster. They crossed for a second unconverted try and seemed to be starting to dominate many of the collision areas. Tough defence from Bren Ward, David Gilmore, Ollie McGraw, Paul Sexton and Ali Habana seemed to have sealed the win but the home team were awarded a rather harsh penalty try under the post. The game ended at 17-17 and the Clondalkin players were left asking the question as to what might have been.

Captain Dan Fitzpatrick was full of praise for his team at the end of the league campaign and reflected upon how far they have developed this year. He reminded his players to think back to the hammering handed out to them by Cill Dara back in September and to be proud of how far they have came. The strength the team now possess was shown by the fact that there was no place in the starting line up for last years 1st team player of the year, 2nd team player of the year or under 20s player of the year from two years back Ollie McGrew, Neil O’Hara and Stephen Tyndal respectively. A testament to the improved fitness and attitude of the team is the fact that there are only two players, Jimmy Cahill and Dave Shirley sidelined with injuries after such a bruising season. The team will have learned a valuable lesson regarding making wholesale at such a pivotal point in the game and coupled with the return to form of Keith Doyle the team can now look forward to the Towns Cup with relish. Next Stop Mullingar..

Starting team:

1) Chris Australia
2) Conor Caslin
3) Ken McMahon
4) Bren Ward
5) David Gilmore
6) Mick O’Dee
7) Derek Murtagh
8) Dan Fitzpatrick
9) Eddie Martens
10) Paul Sexton
11) Joe Normoyle
12) Philip Byrne
13) Ciaran Brennan
14) Keith Doyle
15) Ali Habana
Man of the Match: Keith Doyle

Added by Murts January 23, 2008 (1:06PM)

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