Dundalk set for a scrap for survival
LEINSTER LEAGUE DIVISION 1A
DUNDALK will be facing a scrap for survival in the new year following another defeat to league leaders Enniscorthy on Saturday.
They pushed the Wexford outfit hard but the visitors produced a strong third quarter to secure victory.
They started well with centre Daniel Pim and wing Ivan Jacob making good ground up the right. The ball was then spread left to wing David O’Dwyer who crashed over in the corner.
Immediately after this score a loose kick out of defence had Enniscorthy scrambling. They held out but did concede a penalty which was converted by Paddy Reilly.
The visitors continued to press and Ivan Poole out-ran the home defence to pick up just short of the line and dive over for a fortunate try which he converted.
Ten minutes later, Dundalk’s most influential player, out-half Sam Webber, made a great break in open play.
He eventually transferred to debutante right winger Ronan Greene who scored an excellent try in the corner. This left the score at 12-8 to the visitors at the break.
Poole kicked a long-range penalty on 50 minutes and another one five minutes later to put Enniscorthy ten points clear.
With the Dundalk pack tiring, the visitors began to spread the ball and exploit the wide areas.
On 65 minutes they moved the ball swiftly from the scrum. Full-back Richie Dunne entered the line at speed and found wing Ivan Jacob with a brilliant pass.
Jacob had work to do but with pace he beat his man on the outside and sprinted in from 30 metres to score a wonderful try, which Poole converted.
Five minutes later Enniscorthy scored a similar try but this time they moved the ball from right to left for David O’Dwyer to score his second in the left corner.
Poole converted from the touchline to put his team 21 points clear, 32-11.
Dundalk, however, never gave up and scored two late tries which put a better look on the scoreboard.
Paddy Reilly crossed for the first try and added the extras before Greene raced in for his second try.
DUNDALK: Conor Williams, Jonathan Gray, Robert Farrell, John Smith, Ben Mortimer, Enda Murphy, Alistar McCormack, Tiernan Gonnelly, Mike Walls, Sam Weber, Laurence Steen, Derek Williams, Paddy Reilly, Ronan Greene, Robert Williams. Reps: Zac Conlon, Greg Whately, Conor Hennessy, Ciarán Lennon, Óisín Duff.
ENNISCORTHY: James Doyle, Angelo Todisco, Paddy Waters, Liam Stamp, Tom Ryan, Luke Cummins, Timmy Morrissey, Nick Doyle, Arthur Dunne, Ivan Poole, David O’Dwyer, Killian Lett, Daniel Pim, Ivan Jacob, Richard Dunne. Subs: David Murphy for J. Doyle, Brian Bolger for Cummins, Billy Wickham for A. Dunne, Conal Kavanagh for Waters, Jack Kelly.