Although outscoring the visitors by 4 tries to 1, it was the defensive effort from every player that was most impressive in this game but for sheer physicality and determination centre Rory Bracken stood out, continuing making numerous big and telling tackles. He was ably assisted by Darren O'Connor at wing forward who kept the visitors back row and especially their big No 8 under wraps.

Both teams were determined to play running rugby in good conditions but with both defences holding strong a large part of the first half was played on the half way as both team looked to get the first score. With the Port forwards starting to gain some momentum in attack, strong bursts from seconds rows Keelan Hunt and captain Aaron Ryan paved away for the gaps to be found and straight running from Sean Mooney and Stephen O'Carroll allowed out half Cormac O'Hora to bring centres Bracken and Reece Cuddihy into the game with both a threat throughout the match. Paul Mannion at scrum put some telling probing kicks in behind the defence which wings Jack Casey and Tadgh Tully chased with menace, however a lot of this good work was undone with the home side penalised on numerous occasions for off side at the ruck allowing the visitors to clear easily, this was a feature of the game and one that will have frustrated coach Doyle.

The game’s first score came on 26 mins and it deservedly went to the home side, some super picking and driving from the front row of Aaron Meagher, Fintan Murphy and Conor Houlihan allowed the ball to make its way to wing Casey who finally evaded his opposite number and made an impressive break up the right touch line and managed to off load to full back Anavil Storey who was having a great game , eventually running round under the posts to score, O'Hora added the extras.Port were starting to have more and more of the ball with the backs and forward linking well, the Clondalkin defence was holding strong, however on 36 mins after an initial break by Mannion that brought Port into the visitors 22, and constant pick and drives by the pack, it was Mannion who was on hand to pick up a loose ball to stretch over the line about 5 metres to the right of the posts, again O'Hara added the extras. Clondalkin were not to be out done and when Port lost possessions from the restart they finally broke through the defence and when their No 7 was brought down out about 5 metres from the line, a clever cross field kick found the winger in space and he cantered across for the try. With the conversion missed the half ended 14-5 to the home side.

After half time and following a number of changes at half time saw Joander Brazon, Dylan Stronge and Connor Perry introduced to great effect the backs were finding space out wide it wasn’t long before Port were on the score sheet again. Initial evasive running from Cuddihy brought play into the visitors 22 and with Bracken coming on the ball at pace, he broke the first tackle and was only held up just short of the line, and with ball popped to big second row replacement Dylan Stronge he crashed over, O'Hora kept his 100% and added the extras. Port continued to press in attack, more changes saw the introduction of Paidi Mahon, Simon Doggett, Glen Hassett and Andrew Evans and it was Doggett who was on the score sheet on 66 mins. A great kick chase from Storey and Hassett forced the Clondalkin winger into touch just outside his 22, a quickly taken throw and following an exchanges of passes Doggett sped in under the posts, with O’Hora again converted Port led 28- 5. Although this was the final score of the game, the home side went close again a few minutes later, a superb skip out pass from Evans found Hassett flying down the right wing and only for a foot in touch close to try line denied an excellent try.

Port will now play Naas in the Final on the 28th December and following strong rotation there will be a lot of players putting their hands up for selection.

Portarlington Team: 1-8 Aaron Meagher, Fintan Murphy, Conor Houlihan, Aaron Ryan, Keelan Hunt, Stephen Carroll, Darren O’Connor, Sean Mooney, 9-15 Paul Mannion, Cormac O’Hora, Jack Walsh, Reece Cuddihy, Rory Bracken, Tadgh Tully, Anavil Story. Reps – Paidi Mahon, Dylan Stronge, Conor Perry, Joander Brazon, Glen Hassett, Simon Doggett, Andrew Evans

Report by : Gordon Allen