Dundalk produced their best performance of the season to date away to Enniscorthy last Saturday afternoon but came up short in the end.
Dundalk started off playing into a strong wind and unfortunately knocked on the kick off but were comfortably able to see off the early Enniscorthy attack, eventually managing to turn the ball over and make their way into the home side 22. The Dundalk pressure was rewarded when they were awarded a penalty which was slotted over by Donal Clare to put Dundalk 3-0 ahead.
Dundalk gifted the home side their first try when they turned the ball over in the lineout just outside their own 22. Enniscorthy managed to break through some weak first up tackles to get over for their first try which was converted.
That was the end of the scoring for the first half as a tight match ensued with both defences on top. Dundalk did have a long range penalty attempt by Donal Clare, but the kick just drift wide on the wind to leave the score 7-3 at half time.
Dundalk started off the second half strongly and forced an early penalty which Donal Clare converted to make the score 7-6.Enniscorthy scored again not long afterwards following a Dundalk knock on when attacking in their opponents 22. A long range counter attack took Enniscorthy up to Dundalk’s 5 metre line. With Dundalk’s defence scrambling to cover back Enniscorthy passed the ball wide to outflank the visitors and run in their 2nd try which was converted to bring the score to 14-6.
Dundalk’s heads didn’t drop however and they got went back on the attack. After forcing a number of penalties they got back into the home sides 22 and put together some nice phases of play. The pressure paid dividends when outhalf Donal Clare spotted that the Enniscorthy deence was up flat and put in a perfectly weighted kick for winger David McGuinness to dive on and score Dundalk’s 1st try. The conversion proved too difficult and the score remained at 14-11 to home side.
Enniscorthy scored their 3rd try when their eight broke off a scrum drove into the Dundalk back-line. Quick ruck ball got them on the front foot and after sucking in Dundalk’s defence, they created an overlap to score wide out. The try was converted which brought the score to 21-11 for Enniscorthy. Dundalk spent the rest of the game on the attack and forced a number of penalties to get them into the home sides 22. Good team work putting together the phases created an overlap for Clare to swing a wide pass for 2nd row Diarmuid Sloan to run in a try which was converted by Eamon Roe.
Dundalk did have one last chance to win the game but the ball was held up in goal. A final score of 21-18 saw Dundalk take home a losing bonus point which was the least their efforts deserved. A tough game to finish off 2011 awaits Dundalk at Mill Road on Saturday with Coolmine the visitors and a 12.30pm kick-off.
1. Chris Brady
2. Davis Murphy
3. Stephen Smith
4. Diarmuid Sloan
5. Connor Kane
6. Declan McCabe
7. Shane Quigley
8. Kevin Barry
9. Gareth Herr
10. Donal Clare
11. Mark Bently
12. Will Lauaki.
13. Stephen Clare
14. David McGuinness
15. Eamon Roe
Sub Niall Browne