Dundalk 18 boys secure Tom Darcy semifinal berth with win over Boyne.

Boyne 20 - Dundalk 24

Dundalk visited their Boyne neighbours for a Louth Derby. Electing to play with the breeze at their backs, Dundalk started well but it was Boyne who took the lead 5-0. Five minutes later, Tiaran Haniffy pulled a score back after a well-worked combination of passes from forwards and backs. 

The young man, one of four on the squad to have joined from Carlingford this season, has hit a rich vein of form for his new club, and his defence was as resolute as his attack. 

The first half was very much a back and forth affair with both teams trading territory. 

Boyne went ahead again, going in 12-5 ahead at the break, and seven minutes later when further ahead with another try, putting them 17-5 up. It looked like it could be curtains for the young men from the Mill Road, when against the run of play, Andrew McCardle managed to snaffle possession on his own 22 and sprint the length of the pitch to score under the posts. After the conversion, Boyne still had a 5 point lead, 17-12.

Dundalk continued with strong, clever running from their forwards. Damien Lynch, at hooker, gave a great account of himself, running strongly and with intent into a tough defence. His captain, Robin Hamill, also gave Dundalk the forward momentum they needed. 

However, after Dundalk conceded a penalty on the 22 in front of their own posts, Boyne took the three points on offer and went 20-12 up. 

With ten minutes to go, and nothing to lose, Dundalk quite literally threw caution to the wind, running with intent from deep within their own half. With a quick tap penalty, Ronan Foley gave an inside pass to Oisin Kelly, playing up from the under 17s, who crossed under the posts. After the conversion from Foley, it was a one point game, 20-19 to Boyne.

With six minutes between the two teams and the next round, neither side were willing to concede, with territory and possession changing hands in the final six minutes. 

Thomas Heeds, sprung from the Dundalk bench was lucky not to score himself, having given Dundalk a 30 yard territory gain through some fancy footwork and electric pace. 

The breakthrough finally came with Dundalk exerting pressure over multiple phases with strong carries from forwards Ryan McCutcheon, Joshua McParland and Robin Hamill. The final pass went to Mikey Daley, energetic all game, who got over the line to put Dundalk ahead for the first time in the game, 20-24. Dundalk were able to maintain possession for the final 3 minutes and saw out the game with a win.

Scorers (Dundalk)

Tiaran Haniffy (14 minutes, try)
Andrew McCardle (49 minutes try), conversion Ronan Foley
Oisin Kelly (60 minutes try), conversion Ronan Foley
Mikey Daly (65 minutes, try)