Dundalk travelled north on Saturday to face Donaghadee in the All Ireland Junior Cup. In previous campaigns Dundalk have failed to make their mark on this competition but were looking to change their fortunes this time out. Dundalk entered the game on the back of a 100% league record to date and were full of confidence going into the game. The rain
and win welcomed the Mill Road men in Donaghadee but they were bolstered by the large travelling support who made themselves heard throughout the match.

Dundalk started off well and playing with the wind pegged the Ulster men in their own half with clever kicking from halfbacks Thomas Campbell and Jonathan Williams. In fairness both teams struggled with the conditions but Dundalk had the better of the early exchanges and were awarded with this early dominance with two well struck penalties from full back Ultan Murphy. But as the first half progressed Donaghadee worked their way back into the match. Indiscipline from Dundalk allowed the home team to work their way up the field and eventually they kicked a penalty to pull the score back to 6-3. This gave them confidence and it wasn’t long before they were back in Dundalk’s 22. After a series of scrums in which Dundalk were under huge pressure, Donaghadee were awarded a penalty try which was converted. This left the score 10-6 at half time.

Dundalk faced a mountainous task in the second half, playing into the elements and they had also lost influential second row Paul Meegan to injury. At the break player/coach Ene Faatau refocused his troops about the task in hand and forwards Coach Kenny Dorian give his troops a good rollicking. It seemed to do the job as the Dundalk pack came out of
the traps flying. The scrums tightened up and the work rate rose with the front five of Conor Williams, Jonathan Gray, Robert Farrell, Chris O’Hanlon and Mike Bentley getting on top of their opposition. This allowed out-half Williams to boss procedures and put the Ulster men under pressure.

Again the pressure paid off and Murphy’s radar was on target again with another well struck penalty. It wasn’t long after that Murphy showed his nerve and added another penalty to leave the score at 12-10 with 10 minutes to go. Donaghadee responded and threw everything they had to get that vital score. It was cup rugby at its best. But Dundalk’s defence, that has only conceded one try from play this season, stood strong and defended wave after wave. Dundalk eventually turned over possession and Campbell kicked the ball out for a spirited win.

Dundalk are back to league matters next week when they face Wanderers in a top of the table clash at Lansdowne Road. Wanderers will no doubt go into the match as favourites but if Dundalk are at their best they may come home the M1 with a victory.

Team: U. Murphy, R. O’Hagan, I. Petelo, MJ McKevitt, S. Murphy, J.Williams, T.Campbell, E. Faatau, B.Hadden, J. McConnon, C O’Hanlon, P.Meegan, R.Farrell, J.Gray, C,Williams. Subs: J.Smith, D.McGuinness, M.Bentley, O.McNally, K. Lenehan.

The Club wishes Paul Meegan a speedy recovery from his injury which looks like he may miss the remainder of the season.