Ardee beat Swords and the weather

ARDEE SWORDS 26 5

ARDEE moved to the top of the Leinster League Division 3 table after overcoming third-placed Ardee at a freezing Townparks on Sunday afternoon.

This was the only Leinster League game played on the day as the Arctic weather took its toll on pitches across the province, and Ardee were up against a Swords side who had won away to Balbriggan in the McGee Cup in mid-week.

Swords looked to be in the ascendancy for the first 20 minutes and drew first blood with a try early in the first half, only for Ardee to take the lead before half-time with a converted touchdown.

Swords fought hard and held possession for long periods, but in the second half they were guilty of too many turnovers in the Ardee 22 and could not convert their possession into points.

Indeed, in the third quarter Ardee dominated in the possession stakes and unlike their opponents they were able to convert it into three tries, resulting in a full-time score of 26-5 that keeps Ardee in the promotion hunt and deals a severe blow to Swords’ hopes.

Ardee return to action with an away game against Athboy on January 7th - kick-off 2.30pm.

Kevin McKeever scores Ardee’s second try of the day against Swords on Sunday.

Ronan O’Brien jnr gets over the line for Ardee’s first try despite the best efforts of Ciarán Walsh and James Newland of Swords to prevent him touching down.