The U18.5 Dundalk RFC Boys took their second scalp of their Leinster Northeast campaign, with another win on the road, this time away to Ashbourne.

Like last week, Dundalk set the early tempo, their big, mobile forwards dominating the early clashes. 

Ashbourne’s defence was resolute, however, with excellent chop tackles coming from Zak Denny at nine for the Meath men. Ashbourne’s back row were kept busy by Dundalk’s direct running pack, with Joe Liscoe making 20 and thirty yards with every run, closely followed by strong running from Robin Hamill, JP McKeown and Jamie Callaghan.

Ben O'Hare was imperious in the air, at lineout and at kick-offs, contesting and winning back Dundalk's restarts on two occasions.

Thomas Heeds opened the scoring, getting on the scoresheet twice this week, to add to last week’s try. His first was every bit as good as last week’s.

With a scrum in the middle of the park, Heeds found himself in space after a neat move from Foley and Donohue. With 30 yards, and as the defence covered across, he chipped ahead to gather his kick and score under the posts.

He added to his tally minutes later with another well-worked try, this time Dundalk’s backline showing what they could do with ball in hand.

Jordan Nieuwenhuys looked commanding again at nine, working the forwards around the park, and putting his South African teammate, Kai Mahne in for the first of his two tries with a long bullet pass. The electric winger still had plenty of work to do, turning on the gas to score in the corner with Ronan Foley converting from a tight angle. 

Harry Valentine was lively again from fullback with his quick feet turning defence into attack on a number of occasions. 

The backs kept the scoreboard ticking over, with Eliot Usoh scoring twice, once in either half. 

He wasn’t content with just scoring, however, showing his all-round game with deftly placed grubber kick for replacement hooker Gerry Dorian who was unfortunately not to score.

Dorian looked every bit as lively as the hooker, Kevin Rafferty, he replaced. Both showing great footwork and a keen eye for space. 

The second half was a much closer affair with Ashbourne’s Fabion Tahiraj pouncing on some loose passing by Dundalk to go unopposed under the posts. Ashbourne scored again, capitalising on more loose passing from Dundalk. 

This seemed to stir Dundalk back into action with Eilot Usoh scoring the second of his two tries. He’ll be one to watch for the rest of the season, with a physique well-suited to the modern game.

Kai Mahne got his second score in the second period after Thomas Heeds managed to offload in the tackle after a strong run up the left hand side. Again, Foley converted from a tight angle, making it 6 out of 6 conversions.

He turned provider a few minutes later, with a chip over the top of Ashbourne’s cover defence. Mark Donohue grounded the ball for Dundalk’s seventh try of the game, converted again by Foley, bringing his 100% tally to 14 points from the tee.

Dundalk’s replacement winger, speed merchant Thomas Smith, looked like he might get in for an eighth only to be called back for what was deemed to be a forward pass, just as he was turning on the afterburners.

Dundalk backs coach, Bradley Nealon, said after the game, "very satisfying to see our backline score all seven tries and showing how they can attack from anywhere. We'll continue to work on attack and defence during the week, and hopefully come out of next weekend's game with another win".

A tough fixture next weekend with Navan travelling to Dundalk on Sunday, 29th, 12.30pm.