Dundalk confirmed a second place finish in the Leinster League 1A for 2014 with a hard earned draw away to Tullow on Saturday. It took a spirited last 20 minutes from the Dundalk men to reduce a 17 point deficit. Tullow who were handed a life line during the week in their fight against relegation, when Cill Dara were deducted 12 points for a transfer irregularity, will live to fight another day but will be extremely disappointed not to have held on for the win.
The Tullow men, who had Ireland and Lions star Sean O’Brien on their side line giving instruction, were the much better team throughout and looked the hungrier of the two sides. However Dundalk did start off the brighter and dominated the opening ten minutes. Laurence Steen was unlucky not to have got over when he was driven into touch five metres short of the line. All the Mill Road men had to show for their efforts early on was a penalty from the boot of Ultan Murphy. Tullow came more and more into the game and were dominant at scrum time, putting Dundalk’s scrum under immense pressure. The Tullow out-half Willie Cavanagh kicked two fine penalties in quick succession to put the home side 6-3 up. Dundalk’s defence which has been one of the team’s assets all season was not up to its usual standards and strong running from the Tullow pack helped them gain easy yards. It wasn’t long before the Tullow loose head broke another tackle to offload to his support runner for the opening try of the game that was converted. This left the score 13-3 at half time and it looked like some of the Dundalk side would have been happier to have stayed on the bus.
The second half started and there was little or no improvement in Dundalk’s performance in the opening twenty minutes. To make matters worse they conceded another converted try which was well finished by the Tullow backline. With 17 points down with twenty minutes to play it looked like this game was only heading in one direction. But credit most go to Dundalk and their never say die attitude. Ene Faatau’s side regrouped and Ciaran Brannigan came off the bench to add some impetus around the park. Dundalk went back to a more direct game, resulting in quicker ruck ball which put huge pressure on Tullows defence. Gaps started to open and soon Johnny Gray made some good yards before offloading to Owen McNally who got over for Dundalk’s first try which Murphy converted. There was now a spring in Dundalk’s step with the home side tiring all the time. The home side were soon punished for an offside and Murphy kicked a monstrous penalty from out wide on the left sideline to close the gap to seven points with six minutes to go. Dundalk had nothing to lose and threw caution to the wind. It paid off when Mike Bentley got through a gap and sped his way past the covering defence. It looked like a certain try only for a last ditch shoulder tackle by Tullow’s fullback in the corner put the Zimbabwean into touch. The referee deemed the tackle to be illegal and awarded Dundalk a penalty try to the dismay of the home crowd. Murphy added the extras from under the posts to leave it all square with two minutes to go. Both sides pushed for a late winner but were unable to get the vital score.
Dundalk will be delighted to have secured second place in the league in what overall has been a satisfactory season. They will be extremely disappointed with large periods of play from this match. They have one league game remaining with Coolmine at home on Friday night were the team will want to put together a solid eighty minute performance before their Towns Cup Quarter Final away to Enniscorthy on St Patricks weekend a week later. Best for Dundalk were Robert Farrell, James McConnon and Ciaran Brannigan.
Team: J Shields, S Murphy, O McNally, MJ McKevitt, R O’Hagan, U Murphy, T Campbell, E Faatau, S Martin, L Steen, J Mc Connon, M Bentley, J Smith, J Gray, R Farrell Subs: C Brannigan, S Arrowsmith, J Williams, R Williams, R Shields
