Dundalk RFC battle hard to secure place in U16 Final

The Dundalk RFC U16 team have made it to their first final as a group following a narrow win over Skerries RFC, 15-14. 

JP McKeown opened the scoring for the Mill Road side with a clever peel off a lineout. But the Dubliners weren’t long coming back with the equaliser, adding the conversion to go into the lead 7-5. 

After a strong set piece, Dundalk then shifted the ball through the hands for Dylan Rendall to dot down in the corner for a 10-7 lead. With 10 minutes to go, Skerries got on top again with their pacey left winger scoring, before then kicking the conversion for a 14-10 lead. 

With the clock ticking down fast, the boys from Louth kicked to the corner from a penalty and their well-coached pack drove over via their potent attacking maul, with Gerry Dorian bagging the five points. 

This time, Dundalk were able to hold on and they kept the visitors attacks limited for the remainder of this contest to make it their first ever final since coming together as a group many years ago.

“It’s always been a tight affair between Skerries and ourselves" noted Head Coach Brendan "Fabio" Cunningham.

"They’re a great team, so we’re lucky to get the win this time. The lads have worked hard all season and we’ve a great squad who will be ready to face Seapoint in the final.”