Houndogs produce a humdinger of a show
at Ivy Leaf Park
The match will be remembered long by the sizable vocal crowd of over 200 for the intensity of the hits from both teams. Danny Dowling from Rathdrum, the Doyle brothers and Eoin O’Sullivan from the Houndogs all stopping attacks with thunderous tackles that drew groans from the crowd.
Following a period of intense pressure from the Houndogs, Rathdrum were penalised in their 22 and the visitor’s opted for a shot at goal.
Not a usual call by the Houndogs, but in this instance the right one by captain Michael Doyle, as the score settled his team who almost from the resultant kick off scored the decisive try of the match.
The ball was worked up the field through an initial break by Dave Walsh who offloaded to his son Ted, who found winger Alastair Hill. Hill had only one thing on his mind like any good winger and a try close to the posts was the result. This was converted by Ted Walsh and the match finished 7-15.
Following the finish of the competitive game a further 10 minutes were plaid for those who may not have laced up boots in a few years. Houndogs shirt sponsor Dave McHugh, who played his first match back in 1989 in Con Cashman’s field showed no sign of match rustiness in the centre. George Tice took his position at no.2 alongside his sons Dalton and Paddy and nephew Isaac and watched on by his World Cup hockey silver medallist daughter Elena showed that sporting prowess definitely runs through the family.
On the Rathdrum side, Morgan Sheridan and Ray ‘Razor’ Cooke rolled back the years and forgot the injuries to get their 10 minutes of physical activity this Christmas holiday.
Special thanks to all who helped out on the day, Neil and Grainne Short for cooking the famous chilli, Dave McHugh and Lineup SME for Houndogs jerseys, Kilbeggan whiskey, Nespresso, The Corner House Rathdrum and Phelans of Clash for spot prizes, The Cartoon Inn for the use of the “Coffin Shed” for the after match presentations and all the players and supporters who once again made time on St Stephen’s day to support a great rugby tradition.
A O’Donnell, P Lynch, P Brennan, M Doyle (Cpt), I Phillips, D Tice, M Dowling, E O’Sullivan, A Doyle, P Tice, T Walsh, C Greagsby, D Walsh, A Porter, A Hill, J Dunne, G Tice, D McHugh. Management: J Cashman, D Walshe, H Cullen.
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