Dundalk failed for the second match in a row in the leinster junior league to register a win at mill road when thet lost narrowlyto the garda on saturday.

Dundalk started promisely but missed a penalty chance to take an early lead. The Garda cleared their lines and caught out the Dundalk defence who failed to deal with the clearance kick and the Garda winger following up kicked ahead over the Dundalk line scoring close to the Dundalk posts. Garda converted the try to take a 7 nil lead.

straight away from the kick off Dundalk regained possession and wing forward Brendan Hadden was held up just short of the Garda line Dundalk were shortly afterwards were awarded a penalty which they kicked to the corner. Paul Meegan won the ensuing lineout and the Dundalk pack mauled the ball over the Garda line for hooker Johnny Gray to score his third try in two league matches. Dundalk failed to convert the try leaving them behind 7 -5 on 25minutes the Garda were awarded a penalty near the Dundalk 22 which was taken quickly. The Dundalk defence failed to deal with and the Garda wing forward forced his way over in the corner. Again Dundalk fought their way back and forced a penalty for off side which trevor maremu the Dundalk centre kicked from 40 metres leaving Dundalk 8 -12 behind at half time.

In the second half the Garda pack started to take control dominating the line outs and their out half kicking to the corners forcing Dundalk to conceed a number of penalties and after 60 minutes Dundalk found themselves further behind 8 - 15 and down to 14 players with wing forward Mark Rowntree harshly yellow carded for off side.

Dundalk were forced to try and run out of defence but on a number of occasions the final pass just failed to go to hand. The Dundalk defence continued to be under constant pressure and held out until the 78 minute when they conceed another penalty

which Garda kicked to take 18 -8 lead Dundalk finished strongly scoring a great team try running the ball from deep in their own half with vetearn Rory Mc Ardle

scoring under the posts. Declan Mc Cabe kicked a quick drop goal conversion but the referee did not allow any further injury time. Leaving Dundalk to rue that they had left their best rugby too late. Dundalk will need to put in improved performance next sat when they meet league leaders Newbridge away :

Dundalk 15

r williams r mc ardle t marema mj mc kevitt s murphy e fa,atau j williams k dorian j gray c branigan g whately d fearon b hadden

p meegan m rountree subs : c sloan d mc cabe a mc hugh d clare s mulligan