Leinster League Division 1B
Dundalk 24 - 16 Kilkenny
Written by Órla Henebry
Kilkenny's 1st XV endured another frustrating outing on the road against Dundalk. They had a strong start, dominating the early exchanges with solid lineouts and scrums. Jake Caldbeck opened the scoring with a try in the 18th minute, though the conversion was missed, leaving Kilkenny just 5 points up.
A penalty from Axel Montgomery pushed Kilkenny to an 8-0 lead after 33 minutes, and the team was playing well, especially with the maul in attack. Wes Carter then scored a second try, following another strong maul. However, Montgomery missed the conversion again, leaving the score at 13-0 at halftime.
Despite being ahead, Kilkenny had left points on the field, especially considering the missed conversions and a penalty that was sent wide at the start of the second half. The early second-half penalty, though converted, was Kilkenny’s last points of the match, giving them a comfortable 16-0 lead with Dundalk reduced to 14 players.
Unfortunately, Kilkenny could not capitalize on their numerical advantage. After 20 minutes of sustained pressure, they failed to secure a third try, with handling errors and misdirected kicks leading to wasted opportunities.
In a rapid turn of events, Dundalk scored twice in quick succession, first with a soft try that cut the deficit to 16-7, and then another try just minutes later, leaving Kilkenny in shock at 16-14. The Kilkenny team, now rattled, began conceding penalties, one of which Dundalk converted to take the lead, 16-17.
Kilkenny had a chance to regain the advantage when awarded a penalty within kicking distance, but Montgomery missed for the third time, squandering the opportunity. Dundalk sealed the game with a third try, and a difficult sideline conversion added another two points, leaving Kilkenny without even a losing bonus point.
The final score was 24-16 to Dundalk, a dramatic reversal of fortune for Kilkenny after a strong first half. Kilkenny are now 6th in the Leinster League with only 12 points, just above the relegation zone.
Looking ahead, Kilkenny will need to regroup and refocus before their next match against Cill Dara on November 24th at 2:30pm in Foulkstown.
Kilkenny’s dominant first half was overshadowed by missed kicks and lost opportunities. Dundalk capitalized on Kilkenny’s indiscipline and handling errors to stage a dramatic comeback in the second half. Injuries to key players like Jake Caldbeck and Ben Devlin in the line out seemed to affect Kilkenny's consistency and flow.
Kilkenny will no doubt be eager to bounce back, but they'll need to improve their discipline, tighten up their execution, and find a way to convert pressure into points when they face Cill Dara. The upcoming week off might offer a much-needed break and time for reflection.
Kilkenny 2nd XV fared better coming out with a 24-17 win against the same opponents. Kilkenny started strongly with an early penalty slotted by Yaseen Williams, followed by a powerful try from Caleb Hogan-Eyre that set the tone for the first half. Despite their impressive start, they allowed the opposition to creep back into the game. However, Kilkenny quickly regrouped, with Brendan McIntyre scoring two well-earned tries. Matty Hogan then showcased his skill with a brilliant try, following a clever grubber kick from Williams that kept the defense guessing. Williams added another penalty to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
While Kilkenny could have won by a larger margin, periods of relaxed play let some opportunities slip. Nevertheless, it was a well-rounded performance, highlighted by strong contributions from Leo Capasso and Colm Kealy, who were relentless with their carries and tackles. Their physicality and commitment helped keep Kilkenny in control, and if they can maintain focus for the full game, this team shows great promise for the games ahead.
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