Dundalk opened their Leinster League campaign on Saturday last against Cill Dara in Beechpark. This was Dundalk’s first outing since capturing the Mc Gowan Cup and Thomas Campbell captained the team, for the first time, in place of the injured Paul Meegan.
Dundalk needed to start well and after only five minutes, after a turn over ball, Campbell found Afa Fa’atau, who from his own 10 metre line sprinted up the pitch, drew two defenders, before offloading to Stephen Murphy, who dived over near the Cill Dara posts for the opening try. Ultan Murphy converted to put Dundalk 7 – 0 ahead. Dundalk conceded a penalty which Cill Dara converted to leave the score at 7 – 3. Dundalk stepped up the pace and but for some great tackling from Cill Dara would have added to their score. Fifteen minutes into the game, following six phases of ball carrying involving Greg Whately, John Smith and Ene Fa’atau space was created out wide and quick hands in the backs freed Fa’atau to side step the fullback and finish under the posts with Murphy converting again giving Dundalk a 14 – 3 lead.
Dundalk’s Sloan brothers were dominating the lineouts and frustration on the part of a Cill Dara defender gave Dundalk a penalty when he tackled Ciaran Sloan in the air. Ultan Murphy slotted his effort between the posts to increase Dundalk’s lead to 17 – 3.
Dundalk then seemed to take their foot off the gas and let Cill Dara back into the game. The home team’s Barry Kehoe found a gap and passed to Greg Burns who scored in the corner. The conversion was missed 17 – 8. A Cill Dara kick and chase was deemed to have been obstructed and the ensuing penalty left the score at17 – 11 in favour of Dundalk. Cill Dara encouraged by their scores came at Dundalk with renewed effort and aggression but this only resulted in a penalty fro Dundalk, which man of the match, Ultan Murphy slotted over to leave the half time score 20 – 11 to the visitors.
The second half started with the early concession of two more penalties by Cill Dara which Murphy duly put between the posts to leave Dundalk 26 – 11 ahead. Dundalk seemed to tire and lose concentration in the final quarter and tackles that were being made in the first half were being missed now.Cill Dara took advantage of the situation and broke up the field to score a converted try which took the score to 26 – 18.
Cill Dara piled on the pressure and a scrum near the Dundalk line allowed them to build a platform from which their winger crossed the Dundalk line in the corner. The conversion was missed leaving the score 26 – 23.
With ten minutes left, Dundalk, in their anxiety to hold on to the ball, conceded a penalty for off-side. Cill Dara succeeded with the kick leveling the scores 26 – 26.
Dundalk steadied themselves and Robert Williams got his hands on the ball, after a great kick off chase.This allowed Dundalk to put pressure on the Cill Dara defence and they were penalised for an off the ball tackle. Ultan Murphy stepped up to take the points and keep his 100% record on the day to give Dundalk the victory 29 – 26.
Next up Tullamore next Sat at Mill Road @ 3 o’clock. We need your support. Be there!
