Thirds cooled off

J4 League

Coolmine 18

Clondalkin 10

Clondalkin Third string may have lost for the first time this season in their opening league encounter but they passed the J4 acid test against bench mark side Coolmine last Saturday afternoon.

Despite being disappointed in defeat Clon, who lost the corresponding fixture by a massive 80 points last season, took some solace from the fact they could and possibly should have won away to the league favourites.

The Gordon Park outfit dominated territory and possession throughout the tie but unlike a the hosts they failed to take their chances when presented themselves.

Clon didn’t just set up camp in the opposition 22 they set up permanent residency, but despite continuously flirting with the white wash and indeed crossing it on three separate occasions they failed to register the scores that would have ensured victory.

The home side slightly shaded possession in the opening exchanges using their human second centre battering ram to gain ground, but in truth Clon’s defence was holding firm. Tackling from the combative and all action Luke Sweetman and Dave Moody amongst others defused a potentially explosive ‘Mine . Graham Gallagher was hindering Coolmine’s scoring ambitions robbing ball and winning more penalties than a diving Ronaldo.

However, after repelling the host best try scoring efforts the Gordon Park side gifted their hosts a score. A poor clearance fell straight the hands of the opposition full back he caught the Clon defence off guard before feeding the winger for a relatively easy finish.

Clon’s response to going behind was impressive, however, they instantly went on the attack and their rolling maul was reeking havoc.

Indeed Mine the only way Coolmine could deal with the Clon pack was illegally. The conceded six successive penalties’ for pulling down the Clon’s front eight rumble.

However, neither Clon nor the referee punished the home sides indiscretions. The adjudicator failed to produce a card for serial infringements. Whilst Clon spent 20 minutes literally inches from a what would have been a game defining score and despite impressive close range charges from Hugh Curran, Ged Nugent, Tom Duffy. Chris Murray and Kev Dunphy the Mine defence held firm, albeit illegally at times.

An over elaborate line out move back fired and eventually let Coolmine of the hook.

Not content with giving Coolmine some breathing space the young side proved more generous than ruthless and gifted the hosts score number two.

Again they struggled to defend in broken play from another wayward clearance and the River Road side somehow opened a 12 point advantage.

The visiting next excursion to opposition territory did provide them with their first points as full back John Murphy split the posts right on half time.

The Clon domination theme continued after the turn but unfortunately a resolute and solid Coolmine defence was the games sub plot.

Again Clon were regular visitors to the home 22 but again they couldn’t touch down an all important score being stopped short up front and never testing Mine backline defence.

They did cross the line twice more and the hosts were more happy to concede penalties rather than tries.

Coolmine showed their class converting a drop goal in a rare trip to the opposition half to put 15 points and three scores between the sides.

Captain Cumminsky did eventually get over for the hosts barging over from close range to register his first try of the campaign, but it proved to little too late for the visitors.

Added by admin October 7, 2010 (11:09AM)

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