The Dundalk U18.5 Boys got their Northeast campaign off to a great start with an emphatic 38-7 win against Skerries on Friday night at the north Dublin club.
The new look squad featuring three of last year’s 18 squad, along with Ben O’Hare and Joshua McParland coming in from Carlingford, seemed to have had no problems gelling.
Dundalk set the tempo early, but were frustrated at times by the speed at which Skerries got to the breakdown.
Dundalk continued that fast tempo for the full 70 minutes, based, no doubt, on a great preseason with S&C coach, Gareth Lynch.
Kevin Rafferty at hooker made himself busy all night, and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself.
With the pack providing great go-forward ball, through powerful running from the whole pack, Robin Hamill, JP McKeown, Jamie Callaghan, Ben O’Hare, Mike Daly, Joshua McParland, Kevin Rafferty and Joe Liscoe.
Robin Hamill and his back-row counterparts, O'Hare, and McKeown seemed to be everywhere on the pitch, in both defence and attack, involved in big dominant tackles, rucks, and carving gaps with ball in hand.
The forwards' efforts combined to set up a solid platform from which the backs could play.
And the back-line needed no invitation, unafraid to run from their own 22, playing a lovely brand of heads-up rugby with Mark Donohue and Ronan Foley pulling the strings.
Joshua McParland scored in his competitive debut for the club, running a lovely line after a strong line-out maul.
Michael Daly scored off a quick tap penalty and Ryan McCutcheon bagged a try from multiple phases.
Eliot Usoh was commanding in the middle at 13, with strong running and selflessly putting his centre partner, Mark Donohue in for a great score with a deft, well-timed pass.
Kai Mahne, also enjoying his competitive debut, looked electric on the wing, while Harry Valentine’s impressive footwork from fullback got Dundalk out of trouble a number of times. Valentine's clearance kicks, which will please his Dundalk Gaels coaches, gave the Mill Road boys plenty of territory.
Jordan Nieuwenhuys, from nine, caused Skerries all sorts of problems, with slick distribution and some sniping runs into gaps beside the ruck. He’ll be very happy with his opportunistic try, spotting the tiniest of gaps between Skerries defensive line, to squeeze over from five yards.
The best score of the evening was via Thomas Heeds, hot-stepping his way from his own 22 after an intricate backline decoy move involving Mark Donohue and Ronan Foley.
Don Mullen, Luke Beauquis, and Thomas Smith came on with 20 minutes to go, working well to help seal the win.
Next up, Ashbourne away on Sunday 22nd.
The new look squad featuring three of last year’s 18 squad, along with Ben O’Hare and Joshua McParland coming in from Carlingford, seemed to have had no problems gelling.
Dundalk set the tempo early, but were frustrated at times by the speed at which Skerries got to the breakdown.
Dundalk continued that fast tempo for the full 70 minutes, based, no doubt, on a great preseason with S&C coach, Gareth Lynch.
Kevin Rafferty at hooker made himself busy all night, and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself.
With the pack providing great go-forward ball, through powerful running from the whole pack, Robin Hamill, JP McKeown, Jamie Callaghan, Ben O’Hare, Mike Daly, Joshua McParland, Kevin Rafferty and Joe Liscoe.
Robin Hamill and his back-row counterparts, O'Hare, and McKeown seemed to be everywhere on the pitch, in both defence and attack, involved in big dominant tackles, rucks, and carving gaps with ball in hand.
The forwards' efforts combined to set up a solid platform from which the backs could play.
And the back-line needed no invitation, unafraid to run from their own 22, playing a lovely brand of heads-up rugby with Mark Donohue and Ronan Foley pulling the strings.
Joshua McParland scored in his competitive debut for the club, running a lovely line after a strong line-out maul.
Michael Daly scored off a quick tap penalty and Ryan McCutcheon bagged a try from multiple phases.
Eliot Usoh was commanding in the middle at 13, with strong running and selflessly putting his centre partner, Mark Donohue in for a great score with a deft, well-timed pass.
Kai Mahne, also enjoying his competitive debut, looked electric on the wing, while Harry Valentine’s impressive footwork from fullback got Dundalk out of trouble a number of times. Valentine's clearance kicks, which will please his Dundalk Gaels coaches, gave the Mill Road boys plenty of territory.
Jordan Nieuwenhuys, from nine, caused Skerries all sorts of problems, with slick distribution and some sniping runs into gaps beside the ruck. He’ll be very happy with his opportunistic try, spotting the tiniest of gaps between Skerries defensive line, to squeeze over from five yards.
The best score of the evening was via Thomas Heeds, hot-stepping his way from his own 22 after an intricate backline decoy move involving Mark Donohue and Ronan Foley.
Don Mullen, Luke Beauquis, and Thomas Smith came on with 20 minutes to go, working well to help seal the win.
Next up, Ashbourne away on Sunday 22nd.
