SUNDAY 07/11/21

GORDON PARK

CLONDALKIN 37

MULLINGAR 29

Mullingar travelled to Clondalkin who were 5 points behind Mullingar in bottom place in the league. After lasts weeks win Mullingar knew that a win would put a bit of distance between the 2 teams propping up the league. Mullingar got off to a good start with a penalty kicked by Stuart Flynn in the 8^th minute from the 40m line. Mullingar were dominating possession in the first quarter and a 2^nd penalty again by Stuart to lead 6-0 after 15 minutes. Mullingar were dominating and full back Sean Rock and wing Anto McGivney were looking dangerous anytime they got the ball. However it was during a Mullingar attack where it looked like a first try for the away side as we swept down the left wing, when an intercepted pass gave Clondalkin a try to reduce the deficit to 5-6. Mullingar got back up the pitch and another penalty chance, but this time the penalty came back off the post and Clondalkin cleared. While Mullingar were attempting to play all the rugby simple mistakes allowed Clondalkin make ground and they capitalised on Mullingar mistakes to score a second try in the 30^th minute. This try was converted to put the home side 12-6 ahead. 3 minutes later Mullingar reduced the deficit to 3 points after another penalty. In the 38^th minute, Mullingar got another penalty near the side line and opted to kick for the corner, however the ball was kicked dead and another opportunity ended. The half time whistle came with Clondalkin 12-9 ahead.

Mullingar got off to a good start in the second half exerting pressure on Clondalkin and spent the first 5 minutes in the Clondalkin 22. A Mullingar knock-on in the Clondalkin 22 allowed them clear to the 10m line. The Clondalkin lineout was won by Niall Hannon who broke through to the Clondalkin 22, where he offloaded to Darach Geraghty supporting and unfortunately was held up over the try line. Mullingar attacked straight away from the drop off and it resulted in a try by Anto McGivney which was converted by Stuart to put Mullingar back in the lead at 12-16. Mullingar stretched their lead to 12-19 a few minutes later with another Stuart penalty. The Clondalkin drop off was taken by Lemeki, with the ball moved quickly to Daire Conway who broke down the wing and kicked ahead. Daire aided by Sean Rock chased the kick and with Sean picking up the loose ball ran in for Mullingar’s second try which was converted by Stuart and Mullingar now lead 26-12, with 25 minutes left to play. It was looking good for Mullingar at this stage and the supporters on the side line were now thinking of a bonus point win. However it was Clondalkin who scored next and this try seemed to give the home side a bit of confidence. Clondalkin reduced the lead to 6 points with a penalty conceded in the Mullingar 22, to leave the score at 20-26. Mullingar were making simple mistakes now and losing ground in attacking positions as a result. Mullingar in attempting to attack out of their own half had another pass intercepted and another Clondalkin player was in for a converted try to put the home side 27-26 up. A further mistake lead to a 5^th Clondalkin try which was again converted to put the home side now 34-26 up. Clondalkin had now scored 22 points since Mullingar scored last. Mullingar reduced the deficit to 34-29, but a simple knock on and a player playing the ball in an offside position gave Clondalkin the last score to finish at 37-26.

With Clondalkin now level on points with Mullingar but with a much inferior points, their positions remain the same, but leave a more anxious time for Mullingar, than had been anticipated. Some of Mullingar`s play has been quite good lately, however it’s the little mistakes that add up to conceding territory and position that are making the difference. This was a game that at a score of 26-12 ahead we should have won. Hopefully lessons will have been learned and acted on for future reference.

Mullingar Team  Ben Glennon, Darren Brady,(Captain), Johnny Moran, Luke Finnegan, Lemeki Vaipulu, Darach Geraghty, Paul Maxwell, Niall Hannon, Arthur Brabazon, Thomas Campbell, Daire Conway, Stuart Flynn, Alan Brabazon, Anthony McGivney, Sean Rock, Subs, Edward Nally, Chris Fox, Conor Glennon, Darragh Lambe, David Lynam.