Clane RFC

To use the awful cliche, this was a match of two halves. The first half evenly balanced with the two teams scoring alternately. The second half starting well for Clane but defensive lapses allowing Longford score to make it look like a one sided affair. It was anything but!

Longford opened the scoring with a well struck penalty by their South African Full back. After early exchanges, while both sets of forwards tried to exert their superiority, Clane eventually broke through with a well worked try scored in the corner by Anthony Hennessy. The conversion was missed leaving the score at 3-5. Longford showed their intentions by quickly replying with a well worked try when a quick tap and crossfield kick caught the Clane defence napping and left the Longford centre with the simplest of finishes. This time it was converted and the home side took the lead at 10-5. Such was the commitment of the Clane team, who the previous week had also come from behind, they worked their way up field and responded with a try from lock forward TJ Ryan, which this time was converted by Gordon (Goose) Kearney giving the visitors the advantage at 10-12. The teams exchanged penalties which were split by a superb drop goal for Longford sending the sides in with the home team holding the slenderest of advantages at 16-15.

Clane restarted the second half on fire and a quick burst downfield allowed Dave Doran to feed Paul Morrin. Morrin quickly sent it out to Dave Watkins (Bully) who made a tremendous brake through the Longford defense before the home team conceded a penalty which Kearney again converted. 16-18 now to the visitors. From the kick off Longford gathered possession and drove forward. Unfortunately they knocked on and from the ensuing scrum Mark Coonan kicked a huge clearance from inside his own 22 to within 10 meters of the Longford try line. Longford cleared to the halfway from the line out but a brilliant break by Mick Holland for Clane allowed the visitors to set up a wonderful try by Gordon Kearney. Kearney was in need of treatment after the score but still managed to convert his own try before being forced to retire and was replaced by Tony McLoughlin..16-25 was the score by now and it seemed to wake up the host team. Their accomplished full back again made a tremendous break setting up Longford for a well deserved try under the posts which he converted himself. This narrowed the gap to 2 points and after some intense midfield forward exchanges Longford were awarded a penalty which they scored to take them back into the lead at 26-25.

The next period of play was perhaps the most decisive as play went from one end to the other and both teams tried to find a weakness to expose. Clane missed a penalty and an attempted drop goal during this passage of play. Using the rotation system to full advantage Clane replaced Nial Hughes with Paul Morrin. From a Clane attack, Longford were awarded a penalty and a great downfield clearance set Longford up for a line out near the Clane line. From the lineout Longford marshaled their forwards to engineer a great drive from which they scored a try in the corner. A superb conversion gave the home team a deserved 33-25 margin. From the restart the forwards again engaged in enthusiastic and skillful exchanges. Longford tried the rolling maul again but this time it was much better defended by Clane. A kick through by Longford resulted in a questionable late tackle on Clane player, Colm Fagan after he had cleared the ball.

Much as Clane tried to break down the Longford defense, they were unable to do so despite valiant play from Brian Conroy and TJ Ryan and and the rest of the Clane pack; but each time Longford came forward they looked in danger of scoring. With five minutes to go another great forwards effort by Longford saw them score their final try just to the left of the posts. This was again converted to give them a comfortable lead. Clane applied massive pressure in the closes phases of play but were unable to add one more try to give themselves a bonus point.

So a home victory for Longford and a halt to the great start to the season by Clane.

Earlier in the Day Clane seconds produced their second win on the road with a narrow 14-15 victory. This match was tremendous competition with both teams giving it all in an entertaining encounter

Next weekend, Clane host Kilkenny (seconds 1.30, first 3pm) All support welcome.

Team: Paul Morrin, Tony Blake, David Doran, Justin Monahan, TJ Ryan, Fergal Corbett, Mick Holland, Brian Conroy, Alan O'Neill, Mark Coonan, Anthony Hennessy, Ronan Murphy, David Watkins, Colum Fagan, Gordon Kearny Reps: Nial Hughes, Sean Sullivan, Peter Jackson, Pauric Doherty, Tony McLoughlan