Dundalk U10s travelled to the IRFU All-Ireland U10 Blitz held at Ashbourne on Saturday. This blitz was attended by the best U10 teams from all 4 provinces with 19 clubs in total attending on the day. In Dundalk’s group were Corrib from Connaught, Cobh and Fethard from Munster and Lisburn from Ulster. Dundalk brought 27 players on the day fielding 3 teams.
The weather proved to be fantastic on the day with sunshine throughout and no wind. In their first match against Corrib, Dundalk showed some nice rucking being quick to the breakdown and presenting secure ball for scrumhalf Jack Lynch to distribute to his backs. Dundalk’s greater experience told in this match running out easy winners with Elijah Faapito showing some nice footwork.
In the 2nd match, Dundalk came across a well drilled Lisburn side with a ‘monster’ pack. This was very much a step up in the standard for the boys and Dundalk looked poised for a result with the game poised at 1-1 at halftime the highlight being a try by Kieran McArdle – a well worked move from Daragh Toner with a scrum straight off the training paddock. However, Lisburn’s gargantuan pack eventually broke through despite a gallant defensive performance by the Sharks to run out winners late in the 2nd half.
For their 3rd match against Cobh, Dundalk were determined to bring more focus to their tackling and fought out a tough match to take a 1-0 lead into half-time. Dundalk added to their tally to make it 2-0 but Cobh fought back to take it to 2-1 with an intercept. With the lads ‘pumped up’ going into dying minutes of the 2nd half, a last minute heroic tackle by Jake McNamara to hold out for the win was the highlight of this match with the boys delighted with their win.
The final match against Fethard proved to be the best performance of the day with a number of players ‘stepping up to the plate’. Jonah Power lead from the front securing ball after ball in the ruck with Cathal Malone showing ‘terrier’ like determination with some nice steals and break outs to ease the pressure on Dundalk. Ryan McGee came to the fore in mauls showing good ball protection with Fionn Martin proving a real handful for the opposition with 2 and 3 tacklers kept busy in pursuit. Lee O’Carroll’s determined counter rucking was a regular source of possession for Dundalk and late in the match a determined run by Jack Mulroy breaking a number of tackles sealed it for Dundalk. A great day all round with rugby played in great spirit and the boys a credit to their club and town.
