3rds Report: Clon Tear'Nure apart

Article and spelling by Jonny Stapleton
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J4 League Pool 3 21/02/09
Clondalkin 29 v Terenure 18

Clondalkin’s third team secured passage to the knock out stages of the J4 league and completed a first ever league double over Senior outfit Ternure with victory in a tense and hard fought battle in Gordon Park last Saturday afternoon.

It’s the first time Clondalkin have had a third team in competitive league action but considering they have now emerged from a group containing last years outright champions, loosing just once in the process, they may begin to eye up some silverware.

Having tasted defeat for the first time the week previous the ‘Saturday firsts’ had to bounce back when it matter most last weekend. But they managed to do securing a quarter final berth via another quality performance, proving grit and determination not just a feel good factor drive the talented squad.

A frantic start to the game saw Maurice Featherstone sin binned and a super Edward “Fitzy” Martens covering tackle prevent Clon from falling behind.

‘Nure were dominating territory but couldn’t find a way past a resolute Clon, just as they were for the fourth team the week previous Alan Hickey and Ray Razor Kelly were the mortar that held the home defensive wall together. The pair along with the likes of Featherstone, Paul Fitzgerald and Neill O’Hara were producing an impressive amount of defensive hits.

The Hickey Kelly partnership didn’t just work on a defensive scale, however and the pair combined beautifully to send Fitzgerald in under the posts. Razor sharp Kelly blocked an attempted clearance gathered the ball and fed Hickey. The centre then produced an exquisite pass to set Fitzgerald scampering home for what satiation Cux believes is hi 761 try in a yellow jersey.

Fitzy Martens should have extended the lead twice showing blistering pace to chase down a kick but a temperamental strop mid sprint and a lack of willingness to dive try zone lying ball prevented him from scoring.

Captain Gallagher eventually extended the lead with a well placed penalty and Clondalkin the driving seat and dominating.

Ironically Clon, who felt their advantage may lay in the upfront battle began to find acres of space out wide, although at times didn’t exploit it to their advantage.

Some sloppy play then gifted the visitors a route back into the tie as they successfully converted an intercept.

Clon did extend their lead before half time though as prop James Kelly reacquainted himself with a position he played 3 years and 4 stone ago and dove over on the wing.

Most teams try and create mismatches were an attacking winger find himself up against cumbersome prop, but Clondalkin did it the other way around.

The big men filled the back line but rather take the powerful direct route the line Simon Cuminsky, Dave Gilmore and Ray Kelly showed lovely hands to set up a grateful Shrek.

Clon added Paddy Burke to the pack at the break in a bid to add a calming influence on proceedings but despite some intelligent play from the Chabal-a like there was still a frantic nature to the tie.

Clon just appeared over eager. A brilliantly executed Fitzgerald try eventually gave the hosts some breathing space much to the delight of a large home crowd. The winger benefiting from a brilliant break from Fitzy Martens after a lovely Hickey skip pass.

Burke then added the insurance score after yet another fine display of handling from the home pack. The Flanker raced in out wide after a lovely pop from Gilmore and draw and give from big number 8 Cumo.

Ternure did hit back though and set up a tense finish. The senior club piled on the pressure in the latter stages as Clon found it hard to clear their lines. Burke, Hickey , Gallagher, McMahon and Gilmore however all made important interventions to ensure the hosts registered another impressive win.

Added by Murts February 24, 2009 (12:20PM)

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