Dundalk U-17 got the season off to a great start with a comfortable win at home to Navan B on a beautiful sunny day. Dundalk were short a few players and had to improvise particularly in the forwards where Niall Malone made his debut as hooker and Stephen Arrowsmith started as a flanker.
However, a great start eased all concerns. From the kick off the Dundalk forwards moved into the Navan half with some good work from Dylan Quigley, Ryan Meegan and Morgan McLoughlin. After several phases they unleashed the backs where full back Cillian Quinn saw the opportunity from 40 yards out to finish in the corner to leave it 5-0 to the home team after 2 minutes.
In the tenth minute Dundalk were awarded a scrum 25 yards out. Tadgh McElroy, playing at 8, came off the back of the scrum to make ten yards before off-loading to Stephen McGivern who brushed off several tackles to touch down, leaving the score 10-0 after 12 minutes.
With 17 minutes on the clock the forwards unleashed the backs again through scrum half Oisin Duff and outhalf Aaron Quinn. This time David Durnin finished off in the corner after a lovely run down the wing to leave the score 15 -0. Evin Quigley saw a fantastic effort from the side line come off both the bar and the post but it failed to go over.
More good work in the middle of the pitch by Dundalk saw Stephen McGivern go over for his second and Dundalk’s fourth. This time Evin Quigley added the two points to make it 22-0. Navan did not give up and after some good work they managed to score just before half time to leave the score 22-5 at the break.
The second half belonged to Dundalk and Tadgh McElroy scored the first of his four tries after only a few minutes. Two minutes later Evin Quigley scored the sixth try under the posts from 20 yards out. He then added the conversation to leave Dundalk completely in control at 34-5. An injury to Cillian Quinn meant that Andrew Williams moved to full back and Keith Dorian on to the wing where he tackled hard.
In a ten minute spell Tadgh McElroy added another three tries to bring Dundalk’s total to nine. The pick of which was his third try which was a sweeping move down the wing which included some lovely running and passing from both Stephen McGivern and Stephen Arrowsmith before Tadgh scored under the posts.
Navan scored a consolation try with five minutes to go to leave the score 53 – 12 at the final whistle.
Evin Quigley had a fantastic game with some amazing catching in the line outs, great carrying and he scored a total of 13 points including four conversions.
Others to play well for Dundalk were Dylan Quigley, Alex Cahill, Aaron McGuigan and Barney McElroy.
Dundalk U-17’s train Monday and Wednesday at 7.30 in the Rugby Club. They are looking for new players. So if you want to play, drop up.
Team: Dylan Quigley, Niall Malone, Stephen McGivern, Evin Quigley, Morgan McLoughlin, Ryan Meegan, Stephen Arrowsmith, Tadgh McElroy, Oisin Duff, Aaron Quigley, Aaron McGuigan, Barney McElroy, Alex Cahill, David Durnin, Cillian Quinn, Andrew Williams, Keith Dorian.
