Kilkenny Firsts 24 Clane Firsts 17
The Leinster League campaign got back into full swing at Foulkstown on Sunday. Both Kilkenny Firsts and Seconds took the honours on the day. Having lost 20 – 3 to Clane in the opening round back in October, defeat was still fresh in the minds of the Firsts and revenge for that defeat was on the cards. Kilkenny hit Clane from the start and after four minutes they received their first scoring opportunity.
Dave McMahon, replacing Conor O’Brien stepped up to kick at goal but his attempt went just right of the posts. Kilkenny kept up the attack and on 19 minutes were awarded a penalty just inside the Clane 22m but again McMahons attempt went just wide.
The Kilkenny back-line looked a bit nervous at times and although they defended superbly, seemed to be unsure of their abilities in attack. The forwards took over the pivotal attacking role and bullied Clane up front. Kilkenny were finally rewarded for their efforts when on 24 minutes Alan McIntyre crashed over the line to score the opening try of the game which was easily converted by McMahon.
Clane pulled back three points on 38 minutes but despite having most of the ball during the first half, Kilkenny failed to convert this possession into further points and went into the half-time break 7 – 3 in front.
Coach McDonald made a number of tactical changes at half-time and brought on David O’Connor for Ger Costelloe and Des Payne for Brian Hanrahan. Kilkenny started the second half much stronger and five minutes into the game, Alan Pembroke charged through the Clane defence following a great break from Joey Manuel, who linked up with Killian Everard who then offloaded to the charging Pembroke to score just right of the posts. McMahon added the conversion and Kilkenny were now on fire. Clane, however, were not finished yet and hit back. On 12 minutes they crossed the Kilkenny line when their second-centre took off down the right hand touchline and touched down in the corner. Kilkenny did not lie down and kept up the pressure. Joey Manuel again took on the defence. With prop Wayne Kavanagh on his shoulder he crashed the Clane defence. Kavanagh picked and drove forward and was stopped just short of the line. Clane however won back possession and cleared their line however not sufficiently. Kilkenny’s Killian Everard gathered the high ball and took it back into contact. The referee noticed a Clane hand in the ruck but gave Kilkenny the advantage. Scrum-half Darren McGrath saw this and kicked a superb drop goal. This opportunistic score spurred on the Noresiders and five minutes later Alan McIntyre crashed over the line to score his second try of the game.
With the score now standing at 24 – 10 for the home side, the game was out of reach for the Kildare side. Kilkenny went in search of the valuable bonus point but this did not materialise. Clane scored a consolation try in the 38th minute but it was too little, too late. Kilkenny will face Mullingar on Saturday and kick off is 2.30pm.
