Heartbreak for brave U-13s

DUNDALK under-13s headed for Skerries on a cold Friday night full of confidence after their win over Boyne.

Despite absences through injuries and holidays and a depleted squad, they were in great spirits.

The boys welcomed Niall Brennan back into the fold after a twoyear absence and a somewhat makeshift team turned up.

Dundalk got off to a blistering start, with less than two minutes on the clock Luke Andrews powered over for a super try under the posts which was duly converted by Robert Malone. 7-0 to Dundalk.

What had promised to be a free flowing match of good rugby turned into a scrappy turgid affair with both sides making countless errors and unusually off form.

Dundalk squandered several chances to increase their lead before horrendous missed tackles allowed Skerries in in the corner to bring the match within 2 points and again just before half time, the second under the posts to leave the score 12-7 to the hosts.

The returning Brennan came on at half time replacing Aaron McGuinness Smith, but could only watch on as Dundalk once again fell asleep and conceded a try in the corner. Conversion missed and Skerries moved 17-7 clear.

Dundalk then rediscovered their form, a fine move finding Brennan out wide who left the Skerries defence in his wake to run in a fine try at breakneck speed.

A penalty for a high tackle on Edward Finnegan outside the Skerries 22 left scrum half Conal O’Callaghan to find Niall Brennan who showed speed and brute force this time to power over. A fine conversion from Malone left the score 19-17 in favour of Dundalk with 5 minutes to go.

Skerries then found possession inside the Dundalk third but Dundalk had repelled the Skerries attack and seemed to be playing their way to safety and running down the clock.

However a badly lost ruck outside the 22, turned over possession and what Dundalk felt was a very harsh penalty was awarded to Skerries with time having run out.

Skerries duly went for the posts, it was do or die and Skerries number 10 Greg McEneaney duly converted a fine kick to break Dundalk hearts in a game nobody could believe they lost 20-19.

With two games left, a double header against Navan at home and away will decide Dundalk’s fate in this year’s North East League.