Leinster dreams still alive after cup heroics

A MAGNIFICENT performance by 14-man Dundalk away to Portarlington saw them overcome a very physical and skilful outfit to advance to the Under-18 Leinster Cup quarter-finals.

Patrick Birmingham who had a fantastic game at out-half opened the scoring in the first minute when he jinked past four players from the half way line in what surely must rank as one of the scores of the season.

This was followed by another beautiful score out wide from Caolin Traynor following great approach work by superb scrumhalf Keith Dorian.

Portarlington replied with a couple of scores before Callum Murray scored a cracking try for Dundalk to leave the score 22-8 in their favour at half-time.

The second half performance in to the wind was quite magnificent with all the hard work on defence paying off.

Not one single player stood off as time and again they drove Portarlington back in the tackle. The hard work would pay off when Andrew McDonald sped over for a classic try near the end.

This again was the Under-18s at their very best. The spirit and togetherness within this squad is fantastic to witness and the skill levels on display were of the highest order.

Cullyhanna man Conor Duffy at prop had a mighty match in a pack that was rampant.

Reese Irawan put in some barnstorming runs and if ever a man was born to play rugby then surely Sean McGrane, who is getting better by each game, is one such man.

The half-backs of Keith Dorian and Patrick Bermingham controlled the game superbly with a magnificent performance by Ruari Mc Mahon on the wing.

All in all a cracking match before travelling to Cill Dara this weekend for the toughest of league encounters.

Dundalk will sorely miss Andrew McDonald who unfortunately returns to Australia this week.

Andrew has been around the squad for the last couple of months and boasts all the skills of a McDonald and the madness of a Herr.