DUNDALK 1stXV LEINSTER TOWNS PLATE CHAMPIONS

Dundalk travelled to Ashbourne RFC to take on Newbridge RFC to contest the final of the Leinster Towns Plate on Friday night in a fixture that was arranged late in the week. Dundalk were well prepared for this game, training and playing over the season. They had encountered Newbridge twice already this season in the League, losing to them 13 -11 at Mill Road in November but beating them well in February 64 – 24 in Newbridge. Both teams were more than anxious to have some silverware at the end of a long hard season and this was the final opportunity for them so a tough encounter was anticipated. The supporters of both sides were loud in their support for their teams throughout an exciting and enjoyable match.

Dundalk started with great intent with Chris O’Hanlon taking the kick off very well and the ball was let out the line but an unfortunate pass left Newbridge with a lineout. We took that lineout and Ultan Murphy kicked to touch on the half way line. From the lineout, a scrum followed, which we took and after a number of phases we were awarded a penalty which Ultan kicked with unerring accuracy to leave is 3 – 0 up after five minutes.

Newbridge succeeded in taking the kick off but strong tackling by Johnny Williams stopped their progress. However they were awarded a penalty for us not releasing. They opted to kick but the ball was taken by Ene Fa’atau who found Afa Fa’atau who made a great break before getting Owen Mc Nally going at speed. Owen was tackled unfairly and Ultan added a second penalty 6 – 0 on ten minutes. Laurence Steen took the kick off and set up another Afa and Owen move but Newbridge were awarded a penalty from an ensuing ruck, which they kicked well into the Dundalk twenty two for a lineout. They took the lineout and from the ruck a quick ball saw them score a try through a gap which opened up in the centre of the Dundalk defence. 6 – 5 on 14th minute with Newbridge not converting.

The kickoff was followed up well and the play went through rucks and phases with Dundalk having a good break after good hands from Gerry Scully. Again we got a penalty which Ultan knocked over 9 – 5 after 16 minutes. Newbridge were then awarded a penalty for an offside by Dundalk and their kicker was more successful on this occasion 9 – 8 on the twenty minute mark.

Dundalk got a scrum on the kick off. Ene picked and drove but Newbridge won the ball which they kicked into our twenty two. Ultan returned the kick and Newbridge were penalised for offside. T.C. kicked to the Newbridge ten metre line and from the lineout Newbridge were again penalised, this time for hands in the ruck. Ultan stepped up and again put the ball between the posts 12 – 8 on twenty eight minutes. At this stage the referee spoke to both captains about contesting the rucks.

Johnny Williams took the kick off and found Ultan, who made a clever kick ahead only to see Owen Mc Nally tackled without the ball short of the Newbridge line. From a lineout Paul Meegan scored a try for his team after a powerful drive and maul. Ultan converted leaving Dundalk leading 19 – 8 after thirty minutes.

Dundalk took the kick off and a super attack involving great handling by Owen, Ene, M.J.Mc Kevitt and Johnny Williams saw Dundalk awarded a scrum close to the Newbridge line. Newbridge were reduced to fourteen men at this point with their prop sin binned for an offence in the ruck. Dundalk scrummed well and T.C., Ene and Laurence worked the ball well to see Owen in for another Dundalk try which Ultan converted 26 – 8 to Dundalk in the thirty ninth minute. Dundalk continued to press the Newbridge line with Johnny and Owen to the fore. The half finished with another wonder penalty from Ultan for a scrum offence by Newbridge 29 – 8 at half time.

The first twenty minutes of the second half saw a resurgent Newbridge really put it up to Dundalk with wave after wave of attacking play. Some poor hands saw Dundalk get a lineout. From the lineout Afa kicked ahead twice in the same move but unfortunately it only led to a Newbridge dropout. Newbridge were penalised for putting the ball into the second row of a scrum. Dundalk tipped and went using Afa and Johnny to great effect. Newbridge were then awarded a penalty, Dundalk entering a ruck from the side. They kicked for touch and from the follow-up play were awarded another penalty which their No9 slotted over 29 – 11.

Both sides continued to handle, tackle and drive with a great spirit. Dundalk lost M.J. with a cut, with Stephen Murphy replacing him. Robbie Farrell was replaced by John Smith. Newbridge were making a supreme effort at this stage of the game and from a scrum, after strong pressure on the Dundalk five metre line, Newbridge again scored a try through the middle of the Dundalk defence which their No9 converted 29 – 18. Newbridge tails were up and they really took the game to Dundalk. The scrummage was now a focus for both teams and great credit is due to the Dundalk pack for the way they stood up to the pressure. Rucking was not for the faint hearted and both teams used the rucks well to launch attacks. Dundalk were awarded a penalty from a ruck which T.C. kicked to touch. Dundalk were given a scrum for a knock on and superb handling kept the ball alive and saw Afa make one super hit. Another Dundalk penalty saw T.C. kick us into the Newbridge twenty two, a move which culminated in a penalty for us for a maul offence by Newbridge. Ultan added to his tally 32 – 18.

The kick off was knocked on, on the Dundalk ten metre line and from the scrum Newbridge saw themselves robbed by a great Stephen Murphy tackle. He was then penalised for holding and Newbridge continued to ruck and run at every opportunity. After a knock on, T.C. found a touch on the half way line. From the scrum Newbridge got a penalty which they kicked out on the full so scrum back to Dundalk which Newbridge took but knocked on. In an ensuing ruck Stephen Martin did great work on the ground to be awarded a penalty for Dundalk. Ultan again did the necessary 35 – 18 on the forty fourth minute of the second half.

As the match entered its final seconds Robin Mc Gee sold a super dummy, made ground and was awarded a penalty. Ever alert, T.C. kicked cross field to an unmarked Robbie Williams who touched down for a great inventive score. Ultan Murphy again put the ball between the posts to complete one of the best displays of kicking seen for some time, 42 – 18 — Plate winners Dundalk.

Every player on the panel played their socks off to achieve this result for the club and each and every one of them was a credit to us. We thank them for their commitment this season and acknowledge the great work done by the coach and his team and it is wonderful to see some very skilful home grown talent get the just reward for their efforts and for the efforts of the many people who coached and encouraged them over the years, particularly those involved this year, a year of many transitions.

The Plate was presented after the game and there were great scenes of joy with players, mentors and supporters congratulating each other and savouring the moment. No doubt further celebrations will be scheduled so that all can add their congratulations.

DUNDALK: U.Murphy, G. Scully, O. McNally, M.J.Mc Kevitt, A. Fa’atau, J.Williams, T.Campbell, C.Brannigan, J.Grey, R.Farrell, P.Meegan [Capt.} ,C.O’Hanlon,L.Steen, E.Fa’atau, S.Martin, J.Smith, R.McGee, R.Shields, R.Williams,S.Murphy.

Heartbreak for our gallant 3rd XV

The 3rd’s made the long journey to Tullamore to take on the locals in the semi final of the Anderson Cup also on Friday night last. This was not an easy ask for a Friday night, with the work and college commitments of panel members but fair deuce to all who showed, particularly Brian Crosbie, who flew back from U.K. work commitments for the game.

Supporters were thin on the ground with just mentors and some family members there to witness the valiant efforts of the team to bring us to another final this season but it was not to be.

The first half saw Dundalk put it up to a strong and experienced Tullamore team. We challenged hard in the pack but were unlucky to concede a try to the home eight after fifteen minutes, following a knock on. 5 – 0 to Tullamore. Dundalk were then awarded a penalty but Aidan Reilly was unable to make it count. Ten minutes from half time Dundalk were awarded another penalty and this time Chopper made no mistake 5 – 3. Just on the stroke of half time Tullamore’s left winger scored a second try which they again failed to convert leaving the half time score 10 – 3. This news was conveyed to Ashbourne as there was ongoing communication between the mentors and supporters of both our teams in action on the night.

The members in Ashbourne were hoping for a better second half for their 3rd ‘s and they need not have worried as Dundalk took to the field for the second half focused on winning the encounter. Dundalk were awarded a penalty fifteen minutes into the second half which Chopper slotted over to leave the game at 10 – 6.

In the move of the match a long kick ahead by Tullamore was fielded excellently by Chopper in his own twenty two and he charged forward the length of the field to score the Dundalk try. Chopper converted the try after he recovered from his run 13 – 10 to Dundalk. Dundalk held out well as the clock ticked down. However in the last play of the game, deep in overtime, Tullamore scored in the left hand corner after a lineout. They missed the conversion and the referee blew immediately for full time. 15 – 13 to Tullamore. This was so near and such a heartbreak for this very gallant, honest and committed group of players.

John White, Brian Crosbie and Dermot Laide were the pick of the pack with Conor Kane leading by example as captain. Bernard Culleton made a telling contribution when he came on in the second half. In the backs Pierce Campbell did really well with Kieran Lenihan impressing when he came on early in the game for Rory O’Hagan, whose hamstring had not fully healed. This leaves scorer in chief, Chopper, who put all Dundalk’s points on the board and kept us in the game to the very end and was man of the match.

This 3rd panel show what is good about rugby. They are committed, they fight for one another and they have trained very well for this cup run. As you would expect they are a good mix of youth and experience and you will see this reflected in the team sheet. Aidan and John deserve great credit for the support they give this group and no doubt we will see more of most of them on the field next season.

Dundalk: R.O’Hagan, P.Campbell, W.Matthews, R.Mc Ardle, D.Guest, A.Reilly, S. Byrne, J.White, J.Kerr, D.Laide, C.Kane, B.Crosbie, A. Byrne, K.Fearon, C.McGee, B. Culleton, E. Whelan, K.Lenihan, N.Kerley, S.Smyth, C Myles.

Editor’s Note

As these are the final reports of this season I would like to thank all who supplied the info for the website and to remind those who promised but couldn’t remember that more will be expected next season. Particular thanks is Due to Greg Donaghy of Global Media Garden, who corrected errors and omissions prior to uploading the reports. I hope that those who read the items have enjoyed them and that they keep you in touch with the club teams and their outings. This will be someone else’s task next season, so I wish them well.