It was a proud day for Tallaght rugby club as they took on neighbours Clondalkin at Tallaght Stadium. The day started with the two club’s under-16 girls team’s playing out an entertaining match. Then the two men’s seniors teams played and Clondalkin dominated the first half racing into a 26-0 lead with four well crafted tries. At half-time both of the Club’s minis got their chance on the pitch and both of the men’s teams left the dressing rooms early so they could clap the youngsters off the pitch.
The game looked like it was going to be an easy win for Clondalkin but Tallaght came back into things with an excellent try from Stephen Heaney, superbly converted by Morgan Farrell. Then Karl “Moonbeam” Seagrave intercepted a pass and sprinted the length of the pitch to score. Farrell missed the conversion but Tallaght were back in the game at 26-12. Things just got better for Tallaght when top-scoring full back Simon Collie got in on the action. First he took advantage of a loose pass from Heaney to go over the line and the second try was a superb individual effort from the Australian as he beat several defenders to go under the posts. Farrell converted both tries and incredibly Tallaght were level at 26-all.

To Clondalkin’s credit, they regained their composure and won a penalty in front of the posts that they kicked to regain the lead. Tallaght tried hard for the winning score but it wasn’t to be and Clondalkin won 29-26. However the real winner was rugby and it was a wonderful match played in a great spirit that really showed what’s great about club rugby. The club wishes to thank Damien McCabe of the Leinster branch who set up the event and all the players, coaches and supporters of both clubs who turned out for a great day’s rugby.

Words: Jim O’Connor
Pictures: Ray Brennan