At this stage, the title seems to be heading to either Dundalk or Enniscorthy but little separates the other six teams in the scramble to avoid the end of season relegation play-offs. As such, the fourth bonus-point try scored by Conor McCormack with minutes remaining in this game could be of huge importance in the coming months.

Suttonians arrived in Kildare in poor form, having fallen last season from the heady heights of the All-Ireland League. Cill Dara were expected to win but the Dublin club had obviously not read the script. Within 2 minutes, Suttonians had scored the opening try, 0-5, and were on top in all facets of the game.

Almost against the run of play, Cill Dara responded when outhalf, Jamie Kavanagh, crept in for Dara’s first try and kicked the conversion to give the Kildare team a 10th minute lead that they would not relinquish; 7-5.

The score seemed to settle the nervy hosts and they began to grow into the match. Both sides were playing some attractive running rugby but Cill Dara were looking the more composed and the most likely to score.

A second try soon followed when Jack Hogan touched down after some wonderful multi-phased rugby had stretched the Suttonians defence to breaking point. Kavanagh converted and Dara went into the half-time break leading 14-5.

Sadly the second half failed to reach the excitement levels of the first 40 minutes. Cill Dara repeatedly probed the Suttonians defence looking for an opening. The Dubliners were efficient and organised but offered little in attack. The question was when, and not if, Cill Dara would add to their points tally.

The breakthrough came in the 63rd minute when prop, Conor McCormack, crashed over from close range to score the first of his two tries. Kavanagh converted and Cill Dara led 21-5.

The quest for the vital fourth try now added some spice to the remaining ten minutes. Play became loose and just when it appeared Cill Dara would spurn this golden opportunity, up popped McCormack again to touch down in a similar fashion to his earlier try. Kavanagh kicked his fourth conversion and Dara ended the match as 28-5 victors.

It was a comfortable win in the end but very crucial as the league takes a break until 2015. Cill Dara are now in 5th place, 7 points off the bottom club. More importantly, confidence has been restored.

Cill Dara: 1. Richie Bond 2. Des Payne 3. Conor McCormack 4. Darragh Kennedy 5. Billy O’Shea 6. Jack Hogan 7. Jack Fullam 8. Damian Broughall 9. Barry Waters 10. Jamie Kavanagh 11. Tom Cleary 12. Kevin Dingley 13. Morea Pease 14. Seamus Conway 15. James O’Loughlin Subs: Paudie Wall, Jack Ryan, Kevin Kennedy, Chris Moore.

Cill Dara Rugby Football Club

Cill Dara RFC

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