Clane RFC

Clanes fine run of recent form continued on Sunday when they returned from title chasing Clondalkin with a hard fought 14.13 victory. It was no more than the visitors deserved after a massive defensive effort throughout the game kept Clondalkin to only one try and a number of long range penalties. However, Clondalkin did have their chances to win it in the last 10minutes but their usually accurate out half Chris Jebb was wide with two long range penalty attempts with the wind in his back.

Clane started the game very well and with the wind in their backs they took the game to Clondalkin in the early stages. A period of sustained pressure yielded a penalty wide on the right of the 22 which Gordon Kearney slotted over to give the visitors the lead. Things soon got better for Clane when after a number of phases tight from the forwards, the ball was spread wide through the hands of Coonan, Hennessey and Murphy before Colum Fagan made the most of the overlap created to touch down in the corner. Kearney was wide with the conversion but at 8.0, Clane looked to be in control. Clondalkins response was impressive, and following a period of sustained pressure on the Clane line, the clondalkin captain Fitzpatrick crashed over to cut Clanes lead to 1 after the successful conversion attempt. The score remained the same until half time, and although Clane had most of the play and the wind in their backs in the first half, they only had a one point lead to show for their efforts.

The second half was a cagey affair. Clondalkin registered the first score through a penalty, however Clane responded almost immediately with one of their own. midway through the half, Clondalkin regained the lead through another penalty and again, Clanes response was impressive when Kearney instigated a counter attack from his own half that finished with second row Conroy tackled just short of the line. The ball was recycled and Clane forced a penalty under the posts to regain the lead. Clondalkin went on the attack again and on the rare occasion when the ball went outside their outhalf, they created an overlap out wide and olny a last ditch Colum Fagan kept Clane in front The last ten minutes was all about Clanes defence, which, led by Dave Doran up front and Murphy out wide withstood wave after wave of Clondalkin attack. They restricted Clondalkin to the two long range penalties and held on for a vital victory.

With two games remaining, the Kildare side are still in with a great chance of making the top 3 which at worst would give them a promotion playoff. They entertain Roscrea on March 27th before a potential "winner takes all" game in Ashbourne the following week.

Team: Sean Sullivan, Tony Blake, David Doran, Brian Conroy, Justin Monahan, Mick Holland, Fergal Corbett, Noel Casey, Walther Nortje, Mark Coonan, Ronan Murphy , Anthony Hennessy, Tony McLoughlan, Ronan Murphy, Gordon Kearney, Colum Fagan Reps: Kieran Conway, Alan O'Neill, Nial Brennan, Luke McCormack