Clane RFC

Clane travelled to Mullingar on Saturday evening knowing that anything but a victory would end their chances of promotion for another year, and on a perfect evening for rugby, the Kildare side returned home with 5 points in the bag after an impressive bonus point win.

As is so often the case, Clane did not make things straightforward for themselves and some sloppy defending let Mullingar in for an early try which was unconverted. Clanes response was immediate, when an excellent Mick Holland break set up a ruck under the posts, and when the ball was sent wide, out half Mark Coonan powered over for the visitors first try. Gordon Kearney was unsuccessful with the conversion and the game was poised at 5 apiece. The Clane pack began to get on top, with the front row of Sullivan, Blake and Doran dominating at scrum time, while Conroy & Corbett were also a good source of possession from the lineout. It was off a lineout where Clane got their second try when the pack marched Mullingar 20 metres down the pitch to rumble over in the corner. Dave Doran emerged from the pile with the ball, and Kearney added the extras from a tricky angle to put Clane ahead. On the stroke of half time, a bizarre decision from the ref saw prop Doran sent to the sin bin, and so Clane started the second half with 14 men. However, due to numerous infringements, he was soon joined there by a Mullingar player.

Ronan Murphy and Noel Casey were introduced at half time and it was Murphy who got Clanes 3rd try following a trademark powerful run through the centre. Kearney again added the conversion, and soon afer a penalty and Clane were in control. They almost immediately conceded to put the game back in the balance. Clane knew that every point in the league would be vital in their search for promotion and so went into attack mode again for the last period of the game. A 70 metre break from the pacey Mick Holland almost led to the 4th try, but the visitors did not have to wait long for it when a charge down in the Mullingar 22 saw Mark Coonan and Anto Hennessy in a foot race with each other to get the vital touchdown, with no Mullingar player in sight. Hennessey's pace won out and he touched down in the corner to seemingly put the game beyond Mullingar. The home side did score a late try to make the last 5 minutes a little nervy but in the end Clane hung on for a good 27 - 22 victory.

Clane had good performances throughout with Tony Blake, Justin Monaghan Fergal Corbett & Mick Holland excellent up front, while Mark Coonan, Anto Hennessey and full back Kearney were always a threat in the backs. With 3 games remaining, Clane are hanging on to their promotion chase, and head to Gordon Park to play high flying Clondalkin next weekend. Clondalkin will be deservedly favourites for this game and so it will need to be a big performance from Clane if they are to come away with anything and keep their promotion hunt alive.

Kick off in Clondalkin at 3pm (seconds at 1.30), all support welcome.

Team: Clane - Sean Sullivan, Tony Blake, Dave Doran, Brian Conroy, Justin Monaghan, Fergal Corbett, Niall Brennan, Mick Holland, Walter Nortje, Mark Coonan, Colum Fagan, Luke McCormack, Anto Hennessy, Tony McLoughlin, Gordon Kearney. Reps: Ciaran Conway, Noel Casey, Stephen Woodhouse, Alan O Neill, Ronan Murphy