Clonakilty Start All Ireland League

Clonakilty Start All Ireland League
This Saturday in Dublin Clonakilty will open their AIB All Ireland League campaign with De La Salle Palmerston as the opposition. Clonakilty have won two of the three meetings between the clubs losing the away game two years ago. The Dubliners will start as favourites but Clonakilty’s preparations have been meticulous and a surprise could be on the cards. Last Saturday Clon went down to a strong Bruff side in The AIB All Ireland Cup by 16 - 26 but the coaches were not unduly concerned. It has all been about the preparation for the league and that is ongoing. Unfortunate injuries and unavailability have caused problems but this work in progress is very much on target and while there is work to do and mistakes to deal with there are indicators to show that all is well. Fitness levels are good and Clonakilty’s poor disciplinary record seems to be a thing of the past. Nevertheless it was a disappointment to lose to Bruff at home. They have been a bogey team for Clon but the West Cork side will have the chance to avenge this when the sides meet again in The Vale in the all important league in April when both sides could have a lot to play for. Clon took an early lead after five minutes when a typical David Lombard drive scattered defenders and won a penalty. Kurt Morath slotted the three points but the lead was short-lived with an equalising penalty five minutes later. The Clon scrum was creaking and the pressure told with Bruff taking the lead with another penalty at the end of the first quarter. The tackle count of Ger McCarthy was huge and influential in Clon’s only try. His chasing of the restart and subsequent harrying of the out half from the resultant scrum ended with Morath celebrating his call up to the Tongan squad with a try. His timely block-down, pick up and score gave Clon a 10 -6 lead when his conversion went over. Bruff however had the edge up front and their powerful pack scored a try from a classic rolling maul to regain the lead at 10 – 13. This pack has to be as good as any in the division and maybe beyond and Clon have work to do before the April joust. Robbie O’Donoghue was bravery personified under the high ball and in the tackle and was unfortunately injured in one such contest in the air. He will miss many games and a huge set back for himself and the club such was his early season form. Mike Keohane brought Clon back into contention with a fine break and, when stopped cynically, won a penalty and a yellow card for his tackler and the sides were level when Morath converted. Dan O’Donovan was spectacular out of touch and fielding restarts and Michel Peter O’Regan was tireless in the tackle stakes, getting off the ground to make three in the one Bruff movement at one stage . However Bruff added a penalty to reclaim the lead. McCarthy’s persistent challenges from the restarts won a penalty when a desperate block to save the Bruff outhalf from McCarthy’s ferocity was penalised and Morath narrowly missed on this occasion. The second half saw more of Clon’s attacking ability but it was Bruff who scored when a Clon attack broke down with a knock on and the conversion put ten points between the sides. Bruff’s ability to turnover ball in contact was a frustrating factor for Clon throughout and another area that will be worked on as perhaps Clon made that task easier for their opponents than it should have been. Clon finished very strongly with Paul Dillon making his presence felt and Morath kicked penalties to the corner to try the driving maul route for a score. Bruff dealt with the first one superbly but conceded another penalty in stopping the second and Morath finished the scoring for Clon with a penalty. Bruff put the game out of reach with their final penalty. The squad was; Robbie O’Donoghue, Noel O’Sullivan, Darragh Lynch, David Lombard, JD O’Mahony, Kurt Morath, Joe Crowley, Tom Ryan, Alfie Harte (Capt), Joe Knowles, Danny Whelton, Dan O’Donovan, Ger McCarthy, Michael Peter O’Regan, Mike Keohane, Derry O’Neill, Hugh O’Neill, Jason Fleming, Eric Murphy and Paul Dillon.

Clonakilty 11 - Dunmanway 7
On Sunday last, in balmy sunshine, the Junior 2 team took the field against old adversaries Dunmanway in the semi-final of the O'Sullivan Cup and came out with a victory in a hard fought game. This year, following on from the excellent work done by Mel Long and Michael Murphy, the club are using the 3rd team as a development side It is the intention to develop the under 19s and introduce new players to the game by combining them with experienced players. The management involved includes Noel O'Sullivan, Kevin Dillon, Malachy Boohig and Ray O'Neill. Training is held on Friday night at 7.30pm and all are welcome. The game was a tough physical affair in the first half and finished scoreless. At half time Alan Harte moved to scrum half and this was the catalyst for a major improvement as he directed the pack and spread the ball well. Jonathon Toft, Tim O'Regan and Declan McCarthy in the pack were very effective while the running skills of John O'Driscoll and Ryan O'Flynn threatened regularly. Early penalties by John O'Driscoll put Clon into a six point lead. These scores brought the best out of Dunmanway and they worked the ball up field and scored an excellent try which they converted to go ahead. At this stage of the game the talented John Dineen at outhalf was finding his feet and was distributing the ball well. A good blindside break led to a Dave McCarthy try in the corner and Clon were back in the lead. There were excellent performances on the day from Eamon Dullea, Gareth Boohig, Adam Henson and Eoin Jackson and the experience provided by Pat Noonan, Cian Clancy, Paddy Ryan and Shane Deane laid the foundations for the victory.

The club was delighted for Clonakilty GAA with their recent winning of the county championship and wish to congratulate all concerned with this magnificent achievement. Hopefully it will not stop there and there will be more glory down the road.
Fixtures:
Saturday
Under 17 league V Skibbereen, The Vale 11.30
Seniors AIL V De La Salle Palmerston, Dublin 2.30

Sunday
J2 League V Kinsale, Kinsale 12 noon
Senior Seconds League V Midleton, Midleton 3.00