Dundalk U12s were invited by Newbridge to field a team for an ‘exhibition’ match as a prelude to the Leinster League DIV 1A clash between Newbridge and Dundalk at Rosetown, Saturday morning last.
A team of 11 players travelled down from Dundalk on what was a beautiful late November Saturday morning. The lads arrived in good time for a warm up, the Newbridge pitch was in perfect condition for the 1.30pm kickoff, the sun was shining, and rugby morning’s don’t come much better.
Newbridge kicked off, Dundalk caught and ran at the opposition and were hauled down at the half way. Good rucking from Dundalk meant they retained possession and were picking and going through the phases, but stout Newbridge defence made it difficult to penetrate opposition lines. Posession changed hands again around midfield and it was Dundalk’s turn to defend which they did admirably. A turnover ball saw Dundalk out half Philip Tynan make 25 metres and offload the ball before the tackle to outside centre Jason Cullen who sprinted to the line for a fantastic try in the corner for the newcomer.
Dundalk had put in solid work in the first 5 minutes. Hard working second row Cormac McGuigan saw him rip out Newbridge ball, and front row Flyn Kiernan was on hand to tear through the Newbridge line for Dundalk’s second. Forward and back play was linking up well, two more tries followed when inside centre Sean Fitzpatrick offloaded to McGuigan in near identical circumstances, McGuigan’s aggressive running style making it very difficult for Newbridge to make the tackles count. Solid rucking and ball protection just before the half time whistle enabled Kiernan present the ball to outside centre Jason Cullen who ran in his second.
New winger Peter McStravick replaced the pacy Ronan Greene, and the lads picked up the second half where they left off. Newbridge were coming back through strong forward play, repeatedly crashing into the Dundalk defence and knocking them back. This eventually paid dividends for Newbridge when a move between the centres saw Con Creedon for Newbridge run down the touchline for their first. A lineout move rehearsed on the training field saw hooker Iarla Carroll penetrate newbridge lines and set up a ruck on the 22 where back row David Murdock was able to pick up the ball out of a ruck and run in Dundalk’s sixth
The lads forged ahead through hard work at the breakdown and spreading the ball wide. Hooker Iarla Carroll picked the ball out of the base of a ruck and powered over for another, outside centre Cullen received a wide pass from Kiernan and his pace saw him sprint into the corner for the next, and his third. Newbridge were deemed offside at the breakdown, and the resultant penalty saw McGuigan receive the ball and crash through the Newbridge defence for his third. The 40 minute match was nearing a conclusion, but there was still time for another forwards move when front row Adam Hanratty from the breakdown found Kiernan, and a quick pop pass to David Murdock saw his strength run in Dundalk’s tenth despite 3 Newbridge players attempts to haul him down before the line. Newbridge didn’t give up and a fine passing move combined with strong running saw their centre sam saw him over for a second for Newbridge.
A fine performance from Dundalk where drills worked on in training were put into practice with good effect, and where forwards and backs linked up well. Rucking, ball protection and support at the breakdown is improving all the time. The lads have had an intensive match and training schedule recently and are taking a well earned 10 day break from all rugby activity.
The lads retired to the Newbridge clubrooms to gorge themselves on hot chocolate, sandwiches and buns very kindly prepared by Newbridge, whose hospitality on the day was was first class. Special thanks again to all Newbridge players, coaches and parents for looking after Dundalk. Many players then stayed on to watch the Senior Div 1A fixture where a closely contested match saw Dundalk draw with Newbridge 16 – 16.
Dundalk U12s – Adam Hanratty, Iarla Carroll, Flyn Kiernan, Cormac McGuigan, David Murdock, Jack Connolly, Philip Tynan, Sean Fitzpatrick, Jason Cullen, Ronan Greene, Pater McStravick.