Round one to Boyne in derby double-header

YOUNG winger John McDonnell was the hero on a stormy Saturday afternoon as Boyne eked out a narrow victory over struggling neighbours Dundalk.

Storm Desmond failed to prevent the local derby from going ahead, but it did play a significant role in how the game was played as both teams struggled desperately to come to terms with the hurricane-force wind gusts which blew down the pitch, along with squalls of rain.

Boyne had to face into the elements in the first half and were predominantly penned deep in their own half, but errors were in abundance from both sides, with lineouts being particularly hard to control and tactical kicking against the wind an impossible task.

Dundalk were unable to capitalise on having the wind at their backs as Boyne were content to play a tight game and prevent the visitors from doing anything useful with their territorial advantage. Their only reward of three points came from an Ultan Murphy penalty, with two others drifting wide of the target.

Whilst Boyne managed to hold Dundalk to a mere three points and turned around with the elements strongly in their favour, they got more than they bargained from their spirited visitors after the re-start.

The half opened with Boyne doing exactly the same as had been applied to them by the visitors in the first period. Following a period of pressure they moved the ball wide and several transfers saw full back Eoghan Duffy touch down for a try. His brother Bevan was unsuccessful with the conversion, but the try gave Boyne a 5-3 lead.

However, the hosts were rocked right back on their heels when Dundalk managed to break out and bring play deep into the Boyne half. The Boyne defence gathered a loose ball, but Dundalk managed a block-down as the hosts tried to clear their lines and in the follow-up Gearoid McDonald fed Johnny Williams for a try under the posts.

With the wind playing a big part, Murphy’s conversion was blown off course and that would turn out to be a vital miss.

Nevertheless, they held on to their 8-5 advantage for a long period, with Boyne failing to turn their possession into scores. The Dundalk defence was performed heroics in preventing Boyne from scoring, with their half backs TC Campbell and try scorer McDonald working particularly hard to keep their side in front.

Despite the dreadful weather conditions the intensity of the match was enormous and referee George Finn handled proceedings excellently, with his rapport with the players being a telling factor.

Boyne certainly made hard work of securing a win against their dogged opponents and the decisive score came from a Bevan Duffy break up the wing, shrugging off several attempted tackles. Crucially, he managed a great offload before being tackled into touch and young winger McDonnell sprinted over the line for an unconverted try.

Dundalk, to their credit, never gave up the chase and had several sojourns into Boyne territory in the latter stages without any success.

Very little could be garnered from this match by way of assessing either team’s performance. At times it was a lottery, with the awful weather conditions making it almost impossible to do anything creative. Kicking the ball, with or against the wind, at times meant disaster as the ball ended up behind the kicker.

Dundalk’s efforts did gain them a bonus point which, at half-time, seemed remote and was testimony to their resilience in a second half in which they fought all the way to the final whistle.

Both teams deserve the highest praise for the sporting manner in which this game was played, given the conditions, and what was at stake in terms of their respective positions in the AIL Division 2C.

It was an absorbing encounter which kept both sets of supporters on tenterhooks right to the final whistle and made their efforts for coming out in terrible conditions worthwhile.

More of the same will be provided this Friday at Mill Road when the second round of games commences with derby number two - kick-off 8pm. BOYNE: Eoghan Duffy; John McDonnell, Ronan O’Brien, Bevan Duffy, Adam Brodigan; John Connolly, Shaun Rooney; Jerry Onianwa, Conor O’ Brien, Hugh Carolan; Richard Shuttleworth, Oisín Howell; Declan Moore, Rory Hennessy, James Mose. Replacements: David Monahan, Laurient Robles, Ciaran Smyth, Johnny Kermath, Liam Grimes.

DUNDALK: Stephen McGee; Stephen Murphy, Chris Scully, Johnny Williams, Ultan Murphy; Gearoid McDonald, TC Campbell; Cathal McNally, Johnny Gray, Robbie Farrell; Enda Murphy, Conor Beakey; Tiernan Gonnelly, Laurence Steen, David Whatley. Replacements: Sean Arrowsmith, John Smith, Robin McGee, Derek Williams, Darragh Conroy.