Monkstown FC 17 – 6 Ashbourne RFC
Match Report
The 2012/13 Leinster league arrived back to Sydney Parade on Friday night to the joys of the Monkstown playing contingent and its loyal supporters. ‘Friday night lights’ as its now become known, was treated to its first helping of 1st XV action and hopefully not the last. In sportsman like manner, Ashbourne RFC accepted a Friday night fixture in place of the original Sunday schedule. This allowed for somewhat of a giddier assembly of family and friends on the Sydney Parade banks and at 8pm the affair got under way.
Adopting the slogan ‘ruthless’ as their mantra for the coming season, Monkstown got off to a less than ruthless start. Slightly starved of a decent pre season run out that saw last minute withdrawals from Stillorgan and Guinness, the men in Blue and Gold could be forgiven. Added to that the starting XV were doing so for their first time as a collective. The division 1b opener kicked off and it was the travelling side who drew first blood. Ill-discipline cost Monkstown early on and in making no mistake, the Ashbourne fly-half registered their first points for the evening. Slow off the blocks Monkstown slowly clawed their way into the game but never looked threatening. Ashbourne dominated for the opening quarter and were again awarded opportunities on goal. One from two was the Ashbourne response and with Monkstown trailing 6-0 with recently installed player coach David McAllister in the bin, things were looking ominous.
Finally against the grain, Monkstown took back possession and from a well claimed lineout, the pack began to rumble up field. Suddenly there was life in Sydney Parade and urged on by those on the banks the ensuing maul led to a quick succession of rucks. Completely caught off guard, Ashbourne conceded ground from pick and goes through Omar Hassanein and Marcus Stewart before Barry Stevenson barged his way over the line for the Towns first try of the new season. The points weren’t added but penalties from Kirkpatrick and McAllister pushed Monkstown into a now comfortable 11-6 lead.
With the second half under-way Monkstown took the game by the scruff and through boot and pack, Ashbourne were put under pressure everywhere. Gar Williams sought to get in on the action mid way through the second half with a neatly struck dropgoal, and when David McAllister added another kick from the spot, it became clear that it was to be a Monkstown victory. Ashbourne remained strong to the end and a few sniping breaks saw them tease the Monkstown line only for an impressive scramble defence to neutralise their efforts. The final whistle sounded to a scoreline of 17-6 and a try-less Ashbourne made for a delighted Monkstown.
This coming weekend sees Monkstown away to Longford and all support is much welcomed and needed. Longford gave Carlow a drumming last weekend in their own yard so it will be a tough test.
Monkstown Scorers
Barry Stevenson (1 try), David McAllister (3 penalties), Gareth Williams (1 drop-goal)
Monkstown XV
15. Kyle Kirkpatrick
14. Peter Nolan
13. Mark Culhane
12. David Kilbride (c)
11. Philip Ellis
10. David McAllister
9. Gareth Williams
8. Omar Hassanein
7. Jeff Draper
6. Jack Harte
5. Cian Duggan
4. Marcus Stewart
3. Cian Carroll
2. Barry Stevenson
1. Don O’Shaughnessy
16. Jason Jelly
17. Eoin Murphy
18. Craig Mulcahy
19. David Morris
20. Dave Sheehan
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