Cill Dara extend their unbeaten run with six-try triumph over Balbriggan
William Doran was sensational on the wing for Cill Dara, despite his questionable yellow card. Photo: Martin Rowe
Cill Dara's undefeated start to Division 2A of the Leinster League is still in tact after a dominant win over Balbriggan on Sunday afternoon in Silken Thomas Park.
The home side scored six converted tries - including two from Billy O'Shea as well as a penalty try - to finish 26 points ahead of the Dublin side.
Cill Dara began their season with a win away to North Kildare before beating New Ross at home, and came into this fixture on the back of a 20-20 draw last time out away to Longford.
Balbriggan were well beaten at home to Coolmine and away to Newbridge but came into this game on the back of a victory over Edenderry.
The hosts got off to a dream start when Daire Kemp saw a gap in the Balbriggan 22 and darted over under the posts to give Bryn Moore an easy conversion with barely two minutes on the clock.
Cill Dara lost winger Philip Kenny, who pulled up holding his hamstring in just the 7th minute, with Robin Dempsey coming in far earlier than he would have expected.
Balbriggan were on the board after their first visit to the Cill Dara 22 thanks to a penalty from Geronimo Rosa.
The visitors were on the back foot immediately after the score, but showed great resolve the keep Cill Dara at bay after a ten-minute onslaught from the hosts.
Balbriggan were rewarded for their defensive efforts when they escaped up the other and showed good patience to hold the ball before releasing fly half Shane Clarke for his side's first try after 25 minutes.
Their lead lasted just three minutes as Cill Dara attacked right from the restart, with James O'Loughlin touching down for a try under the posts to give Moore another simple kick.
Cill Dara piled on the pressure, with props DJ Brannock and Aaron Corrway showing tremendous handling skills and serious ferocity.
Another man having a good day in Silken Thomas Park was lock Billy O'Shea who emerged with the ball from the bottom of a mountain of bodies as Cill Dara finished the half as they started, scoring a third try. It was a more difficult kick this time for Moore, but the full back made no mistake and left his side up 21-8 at half time.
Balbriggan were first off the mark after the break with another penalty from Rosa and kept the pressure on as they looked to close the gap further.
Patient buildup saw the visitors go wide and they crossed for a second try in the 52nd minute thanks to a hard-nosed finish from number eight Calum Beasley.
The next 15 minutes were a real arm wrestle in midfield before Cill Dara's forwards were rewarded for their efforts on the Balbriggan line when referee Ciaran Murphy awarded a penalty try that put the hosts 12 points up and secured the bonus point in the process.
Cill Dara lost William Doran to the sin bin after a push off the ball, but that didn't stop them from crossing for another try, with O'Shea powering over for his second of the game. Moore made it four from four off the tee to send Cill Dara 19 points ahead.
There was time for one last try in the dying moments when substitute Owen Donegan managed to power over from close range, with Moore adding the extras again to finish with a 100% record from the tee.
The influential full back squandered two iron-clad tries at either end of the game, but he showed enough leadership besides to help guide the Kildare club to their third win of the campaign.
Cill Dara's next game is in two week's time when they head to Dublin to face Coolmine.
Bryn Moore (5 cons); William Doran, James O'Loughlin (1 try), Daire Kemp (1 try), Philip Kenny; Rory Conway, Sean Behan; DJ Brannock, Oisin Carroll, Aaron Corrway; Billy O'Shea (2 tries), Stephen Walsh; Louis Venter, Colin Moloney, Chris Cousins.
Aaron Kane, Ross Dooley, Owen Donegan, Thomas Cleary, Robin Dempsey.
Luke Hibberd; Jack Scannell, Matthew Jendra, Geronimo Rosa (2 pens), Alex Jackson; Shane Clarke (1 try), Max Lennon; Ryan Reid, Fiachra Tuckey, Ciaran O'Donoghue; Cillian Moore, Eoin Hannigan; Adam O'Connor, Ciaran Rutherford, Calum Beasley (1 try).
Stephen Dowling, Calum McManus, Kyle Russell, James Gibbs, Trevor Phillips.
Ciaran Murphy
