On Friday night Dundalk 3rd XV made their long awaited playing debut for the season. The team travelled to Ardee with a somewhat makeshift panel due to work pressures and matches on Sat for the club’s other adult teams. Despite a defeat they came away from the game with great hope for the future due to sterling performances from some of the new young players. Captain David Magee was extremely pleased with the spirit shown and hopes to be able to blend some more experience with the enthusiasm of the current panel in order to enhance skills and encourage improvement.

The match itself started with Dundalk attacking the Ardee line but inexperience could not create the opening needed. After ten minutes, a long clearance kick from Ardee and good rucking from their forwards led to an Ardee scrum inside the Dundalk 22. Ardee formed a rolling maul from the scrum and crossed the Dundalk line between the posts. The try was duly converted. 7-0

Play resumed and despite great runs from Ken Coleman and man of the match Pierce Campbell the breakthrough just would not come. On twenty minutes, from a scrum on the half way line Ardee broke and resultant poor tackling led to Ardee crossing the Dundalk line again in the corner. The conversion was missed on this occasion.12-0

Dundalk attacked on the resumption and a pattern of play developed. Chris O Hanlon and Joe Brady began to dominate in the lineout and Darren Mc Guinness’s throw ins began to find their mark. Mc Guinness’s confidence grew and his display, in this his first match, augurs very well for the future. On the 30 minute mark, from a 22 drop out, the Dundalk defence lhad a lapse in concentration and thus allowed Ardee to run in another try between the posts which was converted. 19-0

The second half saw Dundalk regroup and come out more focused. They attacked and probed at the Ardee defence but, despite their great efforts, the break would not come. More accurate final passes and more game time together would no doubt have led to the scores which their efforts deserved.

Overall Ardee’s experience showed through, though all they had to show for it in the second half was a somewhat dubious penalty which they struck very well to leave the final score at 22-0.

Well done lads on your maiden voyage of this season. We are all sure there is better to come. See you at training.

Team:
J.Kerr, D.McGuinness, J.McDonnell, C.O’Hanlon, J.Brady, A.Byrne, N.Kerley, D.Magee, B.Tansey, A.Reilly, S.Matthews, C.McGeady, G.Smyth, P.Campbell, K.Coleman, A.Carr, S.Smyth.

The next Magee Cup outing will be against Athboy.

Golf Classic next Sat in Killin Park Golf Club. Support welcome. More info from Tommy.