Cats run out of lives as at Mill Road
RUGBY LEINSTER LEAGUE DIVISION 1A
knock-on relieved the pressure for the visitors.
In the exchanges, wing-forward James McConnon shipped an arm injury that necessitated his replacement by Greg Whately, and then Dundalk were dealt another blow when Kiwi recruit, Cole Stewart, had to retire with an ankle injury, with Laurence Steen taking his place.
Both quickly settled into the action after sending one effort wide, Murphy increased Dundalk’s lead with his second penalty.
Dundalk continued to dictate the pace, but then Kilkenny broke away following an intercept on their 22, and put some sustained pressure on the Dundalk line, but the home side’s defence held firm to leave them 6-0 ahead at the interval.
It looked for a short period at the start of the second-half as if Kilkenny would work their way back into contention, but Dundalk once again turned the screw, and a neat break from player-coach and scrum-half Mike Walls gave Dundalk a firm foothold in the visitors’ 22.
After being held up twice over the line, a five metre scrum finally yielded dividends when centre Johnny Williams forced his way over in typical fashion for the try on 51 minutes Dundalk fully deserved, and Murphy added the conversion.
The game was wrapped up on 59 minutes when forwards and backs combined to fashion some space for left-wing Stephen McGee to zip down the line, and his overhead inside pass with brilliantly held by Johnny Williams, who was hauled down just short of the line by what looked like a suspiciously high tackle.
However, when the ball was recycled back, there was the supporting McGee to worm his way over for an excellent try, with Murphy adding the extras.
Torrential rain fell during the latter stages of the game, making it virtually impossible for either side to string any decent move together, and it was a credit to the pitch that it stood up to the battering it got.
The game fizzled out, but the closing stages were notable for the introduction of replacement, 17-year-old Andrew Williams on the wing, making it three SWilliams brothers in the back-line with Johnny and Robert lining out at centre.
The history books are being checked to see that ever happened before! DUNDALK: Ultan Murphy; Stephen Murphy, Robert Williams, Johnny Williams, Stephen McGee; Gearoid McDonnell, Mike Walls; Robert Farrell, Johnny Gray, John Smith; Cole Stewart, Enda Murphy; James McConnon, Stephen Martin, David Whately (Captain). Replacements (all used): Sean Arrowsmith, Ciaran Brannigan, Greg Whately, Laurence Steen, Andrew Williams. Pictures: Ken Finegan