Ashbourne 50 – 10 Dundalk 3rds
Dundalk traveled to Ashbourne on a cold Friday night looking to make it two wins in a row in the McGee cup. Dundalk started off well, putting Ashbourne under pressure were they were awarded a penalty in the Ashbourne 22. Alan Bryne picked from the scrum were he made 10 meters for a strong carry. Dundalk made ground from two great phases followed by a strong carry from prop Johnny McDonnel who broke tackles from three Ashbourne players to cross the line for the opening try. Aidian Reilly converted the try giving Dundalk a 7-0 point lead.
Ashbourne restarted the game were Dundalk forwards cleaned up a messy restart followed by monster of a kick from out half Aidian Reilly who put the ball just outside Ashbournes 22. Dundalks pressure a ruck time lead the Ashbourne outhalf to kick the ball over their 22 were Dundalk were awarded a scrum. Pressure from good ruck play saw Dundalk helpd up over the line.
Continuous pressure saw Dundalk awarded a penalty for shbourne players not rolling away at ruck time. Aidian Reilly opted to have a kick at goal and he gave Dundalk a 10-0 lead from a kcik in front of the posts. Dundalk cleaned up another messy restart and again Aidian Reilly put Dundalk into the Ashbourne 22 were their fullback knocked on the ball. Dundalk lost the ball from the scrum and Ashbourne cleared their lines. Ashbourne pounded the pressure on and Dundalk were releaved when the Ashbourne outhalf opted to kick in open play aimlessly into the Dundalk 22 were Reilly marked the ball, a superb 50 meter clearance kick took the presure off the away side. Dunalk put the pressure on again and were unlucky not to score another try when Johnny McDonnell got injured looking to score another try. Lack of player available meant Dundalk had to play on with 14 men. The extra man told throughout the rest of the match were Ashbourne took advantage.
Pierce Campbell made the tackle of the night with a superb one on one tackle on the Ashbourne outside center. Ashbourne scored four times before half time. Dundalk went into ther break 24-10 down.
The second half was a walk over for Ashbourne adding another 28 points to their score were Dundalk were unable to score any points.
A few injuries throughout the squad told on the night, the 3rds take on Ratoath this Sunday in Mill Road looking to get back on track. Training this Thursday night for the 3rds is essentials and numbers are needed. Anyone looking to take up rugby or come back to play after a few year out is very welcome.
