With a break in the Leinster League Dundalk took on Coleraine in the All Ireland Junior Cup competition in Rugby Avenue, Coleraine. The rain and gale force winds coupled with soft conditions underfoot dictated the game plan for both teams.  Free flowing running rugby was out and close control of the ball the name of the game.

Dundalk were missing four of their first choice players and gave some of the up and coming talent an opportunity to make an impression.

Unfortunately the conditions were to dictate the pace and nature of the game for extended periods and the majority of play took place within a few metres of the pack.

The home side registered the first points when their out half, Andrews, used local knowledge to kick a penalty despite the strong crosswind. Shortly afterwards Dundalk were penalised severely for some slack defence when Andrews was able to cut through heavy traffic to cross the try line. The wind pushed his conversion wide to leave the scores at 8-0 for the home side after the first quarter.

Andrews was able to make amends for his previous wayward kick on 25 minutes when he landed a second successful penalty and Dundalk trailed by 11-0.

The tide of the match started to turn at this point and Dundalk put greater pressure on their hosts. The Coleraine scrum in particular felt the heat and Dundalk pilfered a ball from the Coleraine Number 8 and set their blindside winger, Errol Boyle, on his way. Boyle marked his debut on the team with a fine score, beating two defenders to touch down in the corner.

The conversion proved too difficult from that range, but Dundalk were gifted another opportunity shortly afterwards from closer in and Donal Clare slotted home the penalty.

With Dundalk in the ascendancy they now pressed their advantage, unfortunately over-exuberance in the dying minutes of the first half led to a penalty and yellow card for Greg Whately. The disappointment was doubly penalised when Coleraine took advantage of a momentary lack of concentration to run the penalty and their winger went over for an unconverted try in the corner. The half ended at 16-8 for Coleraine.

Dundalk started the first 10 minutes of the second half with 14 men and were able to hold Coleraine scoreless for the period. When they were returned to the full complement, Dundalk dialled up the pressure and pushed Coleraine back towards their own line, gaining a lineout on the 15m mark. A good take allowed the resulting maul to drive over the try line for Grey to score. A fine conversion from Clare brought the scores to 16-15.

Dundalk continued to pile pressure on the home side, determined to close down any space. Their eagerness sometimes put them on the wrong side of the offside line, a fact that the referee was quick to spot and Coleraine’s out half was able to take advantage with two successful penalties.

With time running out and trailing by only 7 points Dundalk threw everything they had into attack. Coleraine showed why they were in this competition however with solid defence and tight control of the ball in possession. Eventually something had to give and unfortunately for Dundalk it was their first up defence. Coleraines hooker evaded his marker and stepped the cover tackles to score from within his own half. The game ended with the conversion to leave the result at Coleraine 29-15 Dundalk.

R Williams d mc Guinness r mc ardle s murphy e Boyle e fa’atau j Williams k
Dorian j gray p keely d fearon d sloane p meegan captain,
m rountree g whately subs: d mc Cabe n brown c Brady d Clare