Swords Lose Home Advantage and Fingal Derby

Malahide 18
Swords 3

THE inclement weather saw the Fingal derby moved from ALSAA to Malahide, and the bragging rights stayed at Estuary Road by full-time as Swords were edged out last Thursday night. With the Greens' home pitch deemed unplayable last Sunday week, the opening fixture of the Leinster League Divison 3 ‘super six' group went ahead at Malahide's ground and brought with it the usual intensity and rivalry.

Swords missed a number of regulars and it was a much-changed backline which took to the pitch, with scrum half Dave Moore stepping inside to wear the number 10 shirt. The forwards were also rejigged, as hooker Johnny Finglas joined his older brother Mick in the pack, marking a family milestone.

In a typical derby game, both teams went hell for leather, with local pride and a first step towards the path to promotion both on the line. Swords had the edge in terms of territory and possession in the first half and moved into a 3-0 lead after 25 minutes with a penalty from fullback Aiden Forkan. However, despite creating several other chances, that was as good as it got for the visitors.

Although contesting well across the park, Swords were left try-less for the first time in six games, though the scoreboard didn't reflect the true nature of the contest. Swords will look to bounce back this weekend with an away fixture in Wexford – their second trip to Wanderers in a month – before hosting Rathdrum the following Sunday in what will be their final fixture of the decade.

SWORDS: A Forkan; D Gallagher, L Guyomarc'h, N Gamble, D Grogan; D Moore, C Greenan; D Reilly, J Finglas, J Condron, M Corbett, F Coll, J Gaule, M Bradley, M Finglas. Replacements used: A McLoughlin, E O'Donnell, R Merrigan, R McBride.