U 16s Reach North Midlands Final

North Midlands Cup Semi Final
Clondalkin 51 v Clane 17
Jonny Stapleton

Clondalkin under-16s could become the first team within the club to secure some silverware this season after they cantered into the North Midlands final with victory over Clane last Saturday afternoon.
The ever improving youth side registered nine well worked tries en-route to a half century points total without having to consult their best form in Gordon park last weekend.
Clon will now face the victor of the Port laoise Portarlington semi final and having beaten both sides in blitz scenarios earlier in the season they will be confident if they produce their best form they can secure the cup.
The Gordon park residents made a positive start despite dropping off with just 14 and being seriously depleted as a result injuries and absenteeism.
The hosts, however, paid the price for an early bout complacency when they allowed attacking ball to be turned over before loosing the resulting kick and chase to surprisingly fall behind.
But the home side dominated from their on in. Captain Booby Smith canceled out the early glitch with a super effort only moments later, the Leinster prop broke from the back of the scrum and eventually touched down after a 50 yard dash in which he displayed intelligence, pace and power.
Fellow Leinster hopeful Nail Nolan then produced a trade mark moment of magic to side step his way home and give Clondalkin the lead.
Clon were in complete control with the pack securing clean ball and Ronan Higgins marshalling the back line to great effect.
And it wasn’t long before they went further ahead, Cloin Bruton with the easiest of tasks after another strong Smith run.
Another clever kick by the Clane stand off saw them score for a second time, but Ally Doyle, who is having his best season in the navy and yellow shirt, put Clondalkin back on track when he finished off an well worked backline move to score only his second ever career try in front of his watching girlfriend.
The hosts wrapped the tie up within minutes of the restart firstly Clondalkin’s own weapon of mass destruction Smith powered over from 20 yards.
Bruton then added anther fine effort doing everything but the moonwalk as he danced his way home, the clubs top scorer Nolan added his second before Smith rounded off a fine afternoon for himself and his team registering his hat trick late on.
Clane did register a consolation score right at the death, but it will be Clondalkin who will contest the final.

Added by Murts April 17, 2008 (9:39AM)

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