Bonus point only reward after long journey.

Dundalk made the long journey south to the home of the 2012 Towns Cup holders Enniscorthy on last Saturday afternoon for our Leinster League fixture.
Both teams were sitting on equal points in the League Table after the previous rounds and so each knew that this was a vital match to maintain their League position in the top half of the that table.

Enniscorthy have always been formidable opponents on all occasions when the sides have met and with a big physical pack and strong running backs there was to be no difference in this encounter.
Dundalk opened brightly and attacked from the kick off keeping ‘Scorthy pinned in their own half. Dundalk attacked relentlessly but when the Enniscorthy winger intercepted a ball, he ran unchallenged to score under the Dundalk posts with the Dundalk committed to an all out attack with only five minutes gone. 7-0
Dundalk remained in attacking mode even after this score and were awarded a penalty but Ultan Murphy’s super effort just went outside the upright. Encouraged, Dundalk pressed hard and again kept ‘Scorthy confined to their own half. Afa Fa’atau broke through with a strong run on the wing and got touch just ten metres from the home line.
Dundalk got a scrum after a great run by Gerard Scully, who was tackled by a ‘Scorthy player who subsequently knocked on. A strong Dundalk scrum,gave Greg Whately a great platform to work off. He found Thomas Campbell with his pass and he quickly spotted a powerful charge from Afa who took a pass to crash over under the post despite attempted tackles from the opposition. Ultan converted to draw the scores at 7-7 on 15 minutes.

Disaster now struck with Afa having to be replaced due to injury.He had been really on song and was causing all kinds of problems for Enniscorthy. Robert Shields came on for the injured Afa. Enniscorthy piled on the pressure but the Dundalk defence was resolute and were beginning to drive them back when the ‘Scorthy out half slotted over a drop goal opportunity to leave the score at 10-7 on the twentieth minute.

Dundalk steadied themselves and pressed hard from the restart working the ball from wing to wing with the strong carrying of Simon Crawford, Robert Farrell and coach Ene. Their efforts brought a ruck on the ‘Scorthy ten metre line and the home side went offside at this ruck giving Dundalk a penalty. Alert hooker, Jonathan Grey,tapped quickly and went at the defenders at speed and powerfully drove through to score under the posts. Ultan again obliged to put Dundalk ahead 10-14 on 25 minutes.
Enniscorthy fought back and were again held out after many phases by a very determined Dundalk defence. Their out half went again for the drop goal and closed the gap to the minimum, 13-14 at half time.

Dundalk will rue the the mistakes of the second half which cost them dearly. Each team knew that a good start to the second period was needed to secure victory. However a mix up in a Dundalk line out, early into the second half, saw the ball being taken by the Enniscorthy No 6 who somehow found himself free to score in the corner from the Dundalk 22. 18-14 to Enniscorthy on 45 minutes.
Five minutes later the ‘Scorthy number 10 exploited a gap in the Dundalk defence, sprinted down the field drawing the cover and linked up with his winger who went over in the corner. Again the conversion was missed leaving the score 23-14. Captain T.C. and Coach Ene refocused the team with some strong exhortations and Dundalk ‘s play improved greatly. Stephen Murphy was yellow carded for a late tackle in the 57th minute but this seemed to galvanise the Dundalk players. Redoubling their efforts Dundalk pressed hard and were very unlucky to see a quick break from a tap ball by T.C. stopped by a good tackle by the ‘Scorthy full back. The ball went forward in the tackle and was subsequently cleared. Dundalk’s spirit was not broken and attacking play brought a penalty in the 65th minute which Ultan converted to leave the score at 23 -17. Despite their best efforts Dundalk could not secure any further scores and the game ended with Enniscorthy winning 23 -17. A losing bonus point was Dundalk’s only reward.

Team: U.Murphy, G.Scully, R.Williams, A.Fa’atau, S.Murphy, J.Williams, T.Campbell, R.Farrell, J.Grey, C.Brannigan, C. Sloan, S.Crawford, E.Fa’atau, S.Martin, G Whately, R.Shields, J.Smith, D.Sloan, P.Keely.

Next League Fixture Dundalk v Newbridge Nov 3rd Mill Road