Metro Cup Final (U18.5) Report and Pics
DLSP FC 17 Malahide RFC 25
Three first-half tries proved enough to ensure that it was Malahide RFC who emerged victorious today at a soggy Lakelands in the final of the Metro Cup.
The opening exchanges saw the game played between the 22s before, on 10 minutes, a loose clearance kick was fielded by the Malahide fullback from where the ball was shipped on to their fleet-footed inside centre who went through a gap and touched down, with the conversion making it 7-0. The Malahide 12 wasn't long in making it 12-0 with his second score of the game as he again showed his quick feet and eye for an opening, the conversion going astray this time.
Salmo registered their first points of the day when a high tackle resulted in a penalty in front of the sticks which Adam O'Leary duly dispatched to make it 12-3 for Malahide. Unfortunately the comeback was immediately stifled as Malahide notched up their third try of the day just a couple of minutes later to move out to a 17-3 lead on the half hour. Another high tackle lead to Salmo bravely taking the scrum option on the Malahide 22 and moving it out wide but unfortunately the critical pass didn't stick and the chance was gone.
The second half saw Salmo come out swinging and after 5 minutes they were rewarded for their endeavour when Cian Harrington powered clear and dived over to make it 17-10 as Adam added the extras. Malahide's fourth try came 5 minutes later unfortunately after Salmo conceded a penalty for a high tackle and were made to pay the price although the charging-down of the conversion meant that it was now 22-10 rather than 24-10 as might have been expected. On 55 minutes, Salmo were pinged for hands on the deck and up stepped our nemesis, Malahide's inside centre, to show that his repertoire extends to kicking as he knocked over the shot to make it 25-10.
A promising Salmo break down the left wing was stopped just short by the Mahalide cover defence but the increasing pressure from the chasing side saw Malahide begin to get on the wrong side of the referee and the pressure eventually told when Cian Lillis burrowed over after a series of powerful drives by the forwards. Adam added the extras to close the gap to 25-17 which, not for the want of trying, Salmo were unable to narrow any further unfortunately.
Although they will be disappointed to miss out on the silverware, Salmo deserve huge credit for their second half performance in particular and can hold their heads high as they pushed a very good Malahide side hard and all the way to the final whistle.
Our gallery from the match is here: https://www.jcsportsphotography.com/185mcf