It was a great day for rugby. It was a great day of rugby. Those in attendance at Mill Road on Saturday last were treated to the best game of rugby seen at the venue for quite some time. Wanderers had travelled not to be beaten twice in the one season by Dundalk and Dundalk had their own ambitions of achieving a top four place in the Leinster League Div1A and securing a place in next seasons All Ireland Cup and a second round place in next seasons Towns Cup. The branch realised that this would be a vital match for both teams and allocated the game to a Seapoint referee who normally referees in the level above ours. The ref contributed greatly to a flowing exciting game to the enjoyment of both players and spectators, who included many past Captains and Presidents who were attending a lunch before the game as well as the faithful attenders.

Both teams were evenly matched and as the game progressed it was obvious that it would take something special to seperate them. The teams tested each other with strong running and good handling putting it up to the respective defences.

Twenty minutes in Dundalk were awarded a penalty outside the Wanderers twenty two but Thomas Campbell’s effort drifted just wide of the posts. Both teams were playing some great rugby and there were few mistakes to be capitalised on. Dundalk were slightly more successful with their pressure and were awarded two penalties which Ultan Murphy converted to put us 6-0 up.

Wanderers focused themselves, scored a penalty, and continued to attack the Dundalk line eventually being awarded a scrum on the Dundalk five metre line.On engagement both props bind slipped and as the scrum was collapsing the Wanderers back row played on quickly and caught out the Dundalk back row, who were expecting the whistle, and scored the games opening try to put them ahead 8-6 with thirty minutes gone.

The second half started well for Dundalk and they worked their way into the Wanderers twenty two for a line out. Chris O Hanlon took a good catch and the home pack mauled their way over the Wanderers line where Jonathan Grey touched down for Dundalk’s opening try 13 -8 with Ultan converting.

Dundalk were penalised for hands in the ruck in front of the posts as they tried to steal the ball in the ruck.Wanderers kicked the penalty to close the gap to 13-11 with twenty minutes gone in the second half.

Next was the movement and score of the match. Following a series of quick phases and strong carries from John Smith, Michael Bentley and M.J. Mc Kevitt Dundalk had stretched the Wanderers defence and centre Afa Fa’atau spotted winger Rory O’Hagan at full tilt along the touchline. Afa found Rory with a high pass, which Rory took extremely well, and grounded it whilst remaining infield with only inches to spare. A wonderful score, which some wanted a replay of, as it was to savoured as one of the outstanding scores of this season.We didn’t convert so the score now stood at 18-11.

Wanderers got a penalty outside the Dundalk twenty two, again for hands in the ruck, but the attempt was missed and Dundalk cleared the ball down the field to keep Wanderers in their own half of the pitch.

Dundalk were awarded a penalty just inside the wanderers ten metre line, near the touch line. Captain Paul Meegan ascertained from the referee that there were only five minutes remaining and the decision was made to have a shot at goal in order to make the score more secure. Ultan came up and lined up his kick. As he concentrated the crowd held their breath but as the ball went between the posts the cheers erupted and confidence grew as we knew that it would take two scores from Wanderers to catch us 21-11.

Dundalk were to finish with a flourish. From a line-out in the Dundalk twenty two the ball was quickly out the line to Afa who handed off his two tacklers and sprinted down the touchline before a well placed kick ahead being followed at speed forced the Wanderers full back to put the ball into touch inside their twenty two. Dundalk challenged well in the line-out and as Wanderers fumbled the ball under the pressure Stephen Martin intercepted, twirled and scored under the posts. Ultan converted to round off one of the best displays in some time and completing a wonderful day in the club with a score of 28-11.

Man of the match was Jonathan Williams whose tackling was immense and made life so difficult for Wanderers and refused them forward momentum. He could only have pipped Michael Bentley whose ball carrying was also a feature of the game. It was probably difficult to pick out players on a day like this as each and every one who wore the Dundalk jersey on Saturday did so with a pride and enthusiasm that was obvious to all. Well done lads.

Dundalk moved into that vital fourth spot in the League table which will bring us great opportunities next season.

Dundalk:
U.Murphy,R.O’Hagan,A.Fa’atau,M.J.McKevitt,O.McNally,J.Williams,T.Campbell,C.Brannigan,J.Grey,J.Smyth,C.O’Hanlon, M.Bentley,P.Meegan,S.Martin,E.Fa’atau,R.Farrell, C.Williams,L.Steen,R.Shields,C.Scully