Leinster League Division 2A
Silken Thomas Park

Cill Dara produced a strong all-round performance at Silken Thomas Park to claim a comprehensive 42–16 victory over Balbriggan in the Leinster League Division 2A. Despite moments of ill-discipline and a mid-game lapse, the home side’s superior set-piece dominance, breakdown control and finishing power ultimately proved decisive.

Fast Start from the Home Side
Cill Dara made an ideal start, striking early in the second minute when centre Daire Kemp finished off a sharp backline move following a well-constructed lineout maul. Fullback Bryn Moore added the extras to make it 7–0.

Balbriggan responded with intent, building pressure deep in the Cill Dara 22, but a determined defensive effort saw the hosts turn the ball over just five metres from their own line.

Moments later, Moore relieved the pressure with a booming clearance to halfway. From there, Cill Dara continued to create opportunities but were guilty of unforced handling errors that stalled their momentum.

Turning down two kickable penalties, the home side backed their attack but were held up over the line at one stage — a sign of their dominance but also their lack of clinical edge early on.

Cill Dara Take Control Before the Break
Balbriggan struck back in the 26th minute with a well-taken try, reducing the deficit to 7–8 after a missed conversion. The response from Cill Dara was emphatic.
In the 29th minute, Jimmy O’Loughlin, making his first start of the season, showed great pace and strength to cross for his side’s second try. Moore converted again.

Just before half-time, lock Stephen Walsh powered over from close range to extend the lead, with Moore again flawless from the tee. Cill Dara went into the break 21–8 up — fully deserving of their advantage, though frustrated not to have made even more of their dominance.

Balbriggan Fight Back
The visitors began the second half brightly, adding a penalty in the 43rd minute and a converted try on 52 minutes to close the gap to 21–16. Cill Dara’s discipline began to falter, conceding penalties and losing territory, as the game briefly swung in Balbriggan’s favour.

Strong Finish Seals the Win
Cill Dara needed a response, and it came in powerful fashion. On 57 minutes, relentless forward pressure earned them a penalty try, restoring a healthy cushion.

From there, their fitness and depth told. A well-worked team move on 70 minutes produced another try — converted by Moore — before substitute Owen Donegan capped the scoring in the 78th minute with Cill Dara’s sixth try, Moore again converting to complete a perfect five-from-five record from the tee.

Even with yellow cards to William Doran and Ross Dooley, the home side finished the stronger, closing out an emphatic 42–16 victory.

Standout Performances
Front Row Power: Aaron Corrway, Oisin Carroll, and DJ Brannock dominated the scrum throughout, giving Cill Dara a solid platform.
Lineout Leader: Bill O’Shea was excellent in the air, both offensively and defensively.
Big Carries: Stephen Walsh made crucial metres every time he got the ball.
Back Row Brilliance: The trio of Colin Moloney, Louis Venter, and Man of the Match Chris Cousins controlled the breakdown and carried superbly.
Backline Spark: The new midfield pairing of O’Loughlin and Kemp caused constant problems for the visitors, both crossing for tries.
Half-Back Control: Rory Conway steered the attack intelligently, while Bryn Moore’s kicking — both from hand and from the tee — was once again exceptional.

Summary
While Cill Dara’s discipline wavered at times, their set-piece dominance, superior fitness, and clinical finishing in the final quarter ensured a convincing win. With this result, they continue to build momentum in Division 2A and will take plenty of confidence into the next round of fixtures.

Teams:
Cill Dara: 15 Bryn Moore, 14 William Doran, 13 Jimmy O'Loughlin, 12 Daire Hemp, 11 Phil Kenny, 10 Rory Conway, 9 Sean Behan, 1 Aaron Corrway, 2 Oisin Carroll, 3 DJ Brannock, 4 Bill O'Shea, 5 Stephen Walsh, 6 Louis Venter, 7 Colin Moloney, 8 Chris Cousins. Subs: 16 Darran Dempsey, 17 Ross Dooley, 18 Owen Donnegan, 19 Thomas Cleary, 20 Robin Dempsey.
Balbriggan: 15 Luke Hibberd, 14 Jack Scannellm, 13 Matthew Jendra, 12 Geronimo Rosa, 11 Alex Jackson, 10 Shane Clarke, 9 Max Lennon, 1 Ryan Reid, 2 Fiachra Tuckey, 3 Ciaran O' Donoghue, 4 Cillan Moore, 5 Eoin Hannigan, 6 Adam O'Connor, 7 Ciaran Rutherford, 8 Calum Beasley. Subs: 16 Stephen Dowling, 17 Calum Mc manus, 18 Kyle Russell, 19 James Gibbs, 20 Trevor Phillip