23.01.2010 J4 XV v Clondalkin (A)
| 23/01/2010 | 2.30pm | League | Clondalkin | 3 – 29 | St. Marys J4 XV | Away |
The St. Mary’s J4’s travelled to Gordon Park to play Clondalkin last Saturday. Mary’s started brightly with a break from centre Darragh O’Neill and a subsequent burst from second row Joe Doddy leading to a penalty, which out-half Teddy Moran kicked for an early 3-0 lead.
Clondalkin played with intent up front, coming off the back of a bad defeat last week, and soon earned a penalty chance that their kicker couldn’t convert.
Mary’s extended their lead after centre Wally Moran carried strongly into the Clondalkin 22 and offloaded to centre partner Darragh for a try under the posts. Teddy added the extra points for a 10-0 lead.
Mary’s were penalised at a scrum soon after and the referee marched us back another 10 metres for protesting. When the protests continued, the referee brandished the yellow card to hooker and coach, Eamon Moran. Clondalkin kicked the subsequent penalty to make it 10-3.
Clondalkin missed a penalty attempt soon after and Mary’s were soon back to 15 and camped on the Clondalkin line. A Clondalkin forward killed the ball and the referee sent him to the bin for the professional foul. Mary’s looked to take advantage with a quick cross-kick from the penalty but the chance was squandered.
Half-Time Score: Clondalkin 3-10 St. Mary’s.
Clondalkin were still in the game and missed another penalty at the beginning of the second half. Mary’s made them pay for their profligacy as Teddy darted over by the posts from inside their 22. He added the points to extend the lead to 17-3.
Clondalkin’s discipline at the breakdown worsened as Mary’s increased the pressure and camped in their half. Another Clondalkin forward saw yellow for killing the ball in the 22 with Mary’s in a good position and he was quickly followed to the bin by the left wing who was deliberately offside to smother another scoring chance for Mary’s.
Against 13 men, Mary’s replacement wing Kevin Quinn touched down for an unconverted try to extend the lead to 22-3.
Teddy scored his second converted try after a quick tap penalty, to round off the scoring and seal a 29-3 win for Mary’s.
The lads will be disappointed to have failed to score more tries, with Paul Whyte, Bartley Walsh and Teddy all missing what looked like certain tries through either knock-ons or being held up over the line, but unforced errors riddled the game.
Clontarf visit Templeville Road next Saturday in a top 4 clash that is a must-win game for both sides.
Gavin Rafferty
15. Bartley Walsh 14. Paul Whyte 13. Darragh O’Neill 12. Paul Moran 11. Chi-Yuen Hui 10. Brian Moran 9. Ross Wynne (C) 8. Padraig Nestor 7. Phil Conway 6. Marc McKay 5. Kenny McArdle 4. Joe Doddy 3. Alan Godfrey 2. Eamon Moran 1. Ross Kelly