The 3rd’s made the trip over to Athboy on Saturday. A few changes saw Aaron Mulligan and Chris McGeady make their first starts of the season.
The 3rds started off brightly, strongly defending an Athboy attack just outside the 22 and winning a penalty. Dundalk kicked to the corner and looked to run the ball from the lineout and found themselves loosing the ball in possession. Athboy’s tight play saw them win a penalty just outside the 22 which was kicked over by their flanker and their dominance in the pack told when their forwards drove over after countless efforts at the Dundalk line. Athboy converted the conversion giving them a 17-0 lead going into the break. Dundalk found themselves in the Athboy 22 in the last minute of the first half where they won a penalty. -Clare missed the kick at goal, leaving the score at 17-0 at the break.
Dundalk’s start to the 2nd half didn’t go the way they wanted it and Athboy scored in the opening minutes. Dundalk did look dangerous with ball in hand, but found themselves unable to retain possession when they made breaks. An Athboy breakaway try at the end saw the home side get the bonus point. Dundalk will be unhappy with the result, but will have to up their performance going into this Sunday’s local derby in Boyne
John Kerr, David Murphy, Jonny McDonnell, Carl Cunningham, Chris O’Hanlon, Alan Bryne, Mark Bently, David McGee; Simon Bryne, Stephen Clare, Aaron Mulligan, Mike Doyle, Brian Tansey, Daniel Murphy, Chris McGeady. Richie McDonnell, John McKevitt