Clondalkin ladies claim the bounty of the Final

Jonny Stapleton

Leinster Ladies Cup

Clondalkin 17

Rathdrum 5

Clondalkin beat The Drum both literally and figuratively in Gordon Park last week to claim a place in their first ever Leinster Final.

The Gordon Park ladies scored three fabulous trys to see off the challenge of a very well drilled Rathdrum outfit and claim a prestigious final berth in only their second full season in existence.

Clon won all the key battles in what was a very physical war of attrition and the historic win was bourn as much out of stubborn resistance and a strong team spirit as it was attacking flair.

The host’s found themselves on the back foot against their confident visitors as the guile of Rathdrum tested the grit of Clondalkin for the opening 20 minutes.

However, despite setting up residence deep in their own half Clon showed great resolve and their fight ensured Drum’s attempts at flair proved fruitless.

While 1-15 all registered an abundance of tackles to repel their country counterparts advances, Emma McKeever, Sara Phelan, Sandra Healy, Fiona Tighe,Therese Grogan, Shorna Byrne, Rachel Vickers and Shelly McKeever all made vital defensive contributions.

Emma McKeever was certainly more forward than half back as she made three try line tackles and put her body on the line around the fringes.

While Grogan, Phelan and Byrne registered groan educing hits to put out of sync any Drum attempts to beat Clon out wide.

After weathering what was more typhoon than storm Clon eventually began to have an attacking influence on the game. The pack got on top and the boot of Grogan ensured territory.

Once in opposition terrain the hosts staged an assault on the lead. A succession of home tap penalties were stopped short as Rathdrum mimicked Clon’s early defensive heroics.

However after seeing wave after wave of attack repelled the club’s Leinster representative, Rachel Vickers crashed over the line to give the hosts the lead. The Nomad’s cap and former England international broke from the base of a what was another solid scrum and powered over the white wash to make it 5-0.

Clon could have doubled their advantage just before the break but after an impressive attack the ball failed to make the hands of Sara Phelan who was waiting to stroll over the line.

The club’s most prolific player, male or female, didn’t have to wait long to add to her sensational try tally, however, as moments after the restart she touched down under the posts.

The try scoring machine, who is equally lethal without the ball, hit ha gap at half way raced clear before evading two would be tacklers to make it 10-0. Grogan added the extra and the hosts looked home and dry.

Ciara Lennon then came close after a beautiful Phelan offload, but the final Clon score fittingly came via Sandra Flood. The captain got the try her brilliant all round second half display deserved powering over from two yards after the pack had rumbled patiently toward the white wash.

Drum did pull one back as Clon went down to 14 after a Grogan yellow, but their attempt comeback coup was repelled by more resolute home defending thanks particularly Laura Murphy who came out on top of a personal duel with the opposition 8.

Added by admin February 21, 2011 (4:01PM)

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