Match Report Mc Gowan Cup Final Sat 8th Sept
Ashbourne were visitors to Mill Road on Sat last for the 2nd Leg of the Mc Gowan Cup Final. The first Leg had been played in Ashbourne the previous week with Dundalk coming out on top on a scoreline of 36 – 10.
A very large crowd was in attendance at Mill Road, as it was the club Open Day and the success of the day was reflected in the attendance for both the 1st’s and 2nd’s matches against Ashbourne opposition. The glorious weather added to the enjoyment of all.
Dundalk started slowly and Ashbourne got off the mark with a penalty. The Ashbourne team was a much changed fifteen fron the previous week and were hungry for a win. Some home team indiscipline led to two further penalties with only one converted.Fifteen minutes into the match Dundalk made the breakthrough, working the ball through several phases releasing speedy winger Robbie Shields to score the first try with Ultan Murphy slotting over the conversion to give the home team the lead.
Ashbourne proved themselves tough opponents with strong running and good handling bringing them closer to the Dundalk line but great tackling from Stephen Martin and Greg Whately kept them out. Clever kicking from Ultan Murphy followed by an improving lineout stretched the Ashbourne defence allowing player coach Ene Fa’atau to power over under the posts wiyh Murphy converring to increase the Dundalk lead to 14 – 6.
Dundalk seemed to find their rhythm at this point with front rowers Grey and Farrell leading by example. The scrum was supplying good ball to the backs through scrum half Thomas Campbell. Campbell provided a super pass to hard running second row Conor Beattie who touched down under the posts for Dundalk’s third try of the match. Again Murphy converted leaving the half time score at 21 – 6 to the home team.
The second half was a scrappier affair with Dundalk making scoring chances but not finishing them off probably due to early season match rustiness. Ashbourne forced their way back into the game to bring the score at the hour to 21 – 13. Five minutes later, taking advantage of the smallest of gaps, Fa’atau sidestepped the opposition full back and slid in for another Dundalk try which went unconverted leaving the score 26 – 13. Ashbourne got a late try to leave the final score at 26 – 20 in favour of Dundalk.
Dundalk Captain, Paul Meegan, lifted the Mc Gowan Trophy for the first time in 12 years for Dundalk.
Well done to all concerned.
Team: R. Williams, R. Shields, R. O’Hagan, S. Murphy, E. Fa’atau, U. Murphy, T. Campbell, R. Farrell, J. Grey, J. Smyth, D. Sloan, C. Beattie, P. Meegan [Capt}, S. Martin, G. Whately. Subs: C. Brannigan, C. Sloan, C. Scully, J. Williams
1st XV News
Dundalk 1st XV start their Leinster League Division 1A campaign next weekend, away to Cill Dara on Saturday 15th with a 7.15 kick off. Training is Tues and Thurs at 7.30. Full attendance please. Travel arrangements will be settled on Thurs.
