John Kerr, Brian Igoe, Jonny McDonnell, Carl Cunningham, Chris O’Hanlon, Shane Quigley, Thomas Thornton, David McGee, Simon Byrne, Aiden Reilly, Gerard Smyth, Mike Doyle, Stephen Clare, Brian Tansy, Eamon Roe: Stephen Smyth, David Murphy, Richie McDonnell, Niall Kerly, Cathal Myles, Shane Mathews, Chris McGeady

The 3rds suffered an away loss to league leaders Boyne on Sunday.

Dundalk started strongly but poor discipline allowed Boyne to pin the visitors back in their own territory.  Boyne were fielding a well schooled and quick backline who made the most of the chances that came their way.  Their coach’s influence was evident in the first half when they twice scored out wide following first phase ball.

Boynes forwards played an increasingly active role in the match as it wore on and Dundalk struggled to make their lineout work throughout the game.   With their lineout denied to them as a source of possession, Dundalk were forced to keep the ball in hand regardless of their position on the field.  Gains in territory were only made after numerous phases of play and opportunities to score were few and far between.  The nearest Dundalk came to crossing the whitewash came after a scrum when No 8, David McGee broke only to be denied by the Boyne back row forwards.  Gerard Smyth kicked Dundalk’s only points of the game from a penalty in the Boyne 22 in the second half.

The risks inherent in trying to hold on to the ball continuously for extended periods of time were illustrated late in the game when Boyne turned over the ball in their own 22 and ran the length of the pitch to score.  The game ended with the scores at 27-3 for the home side.

The 3rds host Ardee in mill road on Sunday