Dundalk went into this match after a hard to swallow defeat against
Tullamore rfc looking to get some must need points in their league run
, Monkstown were there opposition at the mill road, Monkstown are also
at the bottom of the Leinster league and also looking for a win, So
this was going to be a battle with Monkstown having a large pack,
Dundalk knew they would have to front up against them if they wanted
anything out of this game.
The first ten minutes started with both teams running hard at each
other in attack and both defences working even harder to keep the
other from scoring. The break through came on the 15 minute after a
Dundalk line out within the Monkstown 22 yard line gave scrum half
Thomas Campbell some space for some quick stepping and hard ruining
got dundalk on the front foot were Monkstown number 6 went off his
feet at a ruck to give dundalk a penalty in front of the posts, Were
MJ Mc Kevitte converted (0-3)16mins
Shortly after the kick off dundalk kicked the ball long into the
Monkstown half were hard chasing from player coach Ene fa,atau caught
the full back to put Monkstown under pressure who cleared the ball
only for number 10 Trevor Marema to catch and run hard and some great
foot work dance through 3 tackles to score Dundalks first
try.(0-8)17mins
Ciaran Sloan came off from second row with a ankle injury and David
Fearon replaced him, Dundalk were starting to really get into gear now
and putting Monkstown under pressure. From a dundalk lineout on the
half way line the dundalk backs were looking sharp and cut though the
defence Mc Kevitt broke free and pass to winger Stephen Murphy who
linked up with Gerard Scully with one defender to beat got tackled and
off loaded the pass to drifted just over winger Errol Boyle into
touch. It was a let off for Monkstown but not for long as dundalk
launched another attack. from the half way line with Marema side
stepping through the defence and passing the ball to Mc Kevitt who
linked up with Prop Kenny Dorian who’s quick hands passed onto Boyle
just short of the line, dundalk got the ball back quickly and two
passes found James Mc Connon who on his first team debut showed his
quick feet to pass two tacklers and score under the posts which was
converted.(0-15)30mins
Dundalk got a penalty inside Monkstown 22 shortly before half time and
was given the option of the penalty or a scrum 5meters from the try
line, Captain Paul Meegan chose to take the scrum as he knew his pack
where superior than there opposition and hungry for the third try.
Monkstown seen this and made a substitution in the front row, With
Fosi Pala’Amo a ex Samoan international with over 20 capts to his
name and was the heaviest player in the English rugby premiership a
few years ago, But he was no problem for Dundalks Kenny Dorian who
held strong so the ball was passed along for 4 phases before Ene
fa,atau dived over under the post for Dundalks third try. Thomas
Campbell converted (0-22) Half time
James Mc Connon was replaced due to a dead leg with Diamuid Sloan
coming on. Dundalk needed to now push on and get another try for the
bonus point win they so badly need. It wasn’t long coming when only 5
minutes into the second half great quick passing from a ruck deep
inside the Monkstown 22 seen centre Chris Scully cut a great line
through the defence to dive under the posts for the bonus point and
another 5 points on the score board. Campbell converted (0-29)45mins
This settled Dundalk and they took the foot of the gas and let
Monkstown play which was to be costly, Monkstown got a lineout 5
meters from the dundalk line and worked a rolling maul to score in the
corner.(5-29)50mins
Monkstown started to get momentum thru pick and goes at the ruck and
with them getting phases put them on the front foot and when they
spread the ball wide a cover tackle from Chris Scully was deemed to
high the ref and he received a yellow card and 10 minutes in the sin
bin. Monkstown opted for the lineout and again crossed the try line
from another strong maul,( 12-29) 60mins
Monkstown were now putting everything into the remaining minutes and
inside the Dundalk 22 and after some great work the hard hitting
tackles of the defence paid dividend when a tackle from Campbell
forced a loose pass which Murphy pick up and passed to Campbell on a
charge passed to Fearon who gained more yards to play Campbell again
who chipped the last defender to scored Dundalk’s 5 try under the
posts and converted it (12-36) 64mins
This still didn’t drop the heads of the Monkstown players as they had
got two trys already and were working for at least a single bonus
point from another two try s, they got near when a move off a line out
got them 10 meters from the dundalk line for the scrum half pass a
cheeky inside pass to Pala’Amo to fall across the line under the posts
(19-36)72mins
Dundalk made sure that Monkstown were not going to get the bonus point
and held on till full time with great defence and tackles from all 15
players.
Dundalk now go to play top of the League Skerries in Homepatrick this
Saturday at 6.30pm kick off.This is a big game from dundalk and they
need to get some points from this match. Support would be greatly
appreciated

G scully e boyle c scully mj mc kevitt s murphy t marema t campbell k
dorian j gray c branigan c sloan p meegan j mc connon
m rountree e fa.atau subs : d sloan d fearon d clare s smith