Crusaders overcome Eagles to advance
Coach Stephen Attride with his group of 6-9 yeaqr olds pictured in Carlow Tennis Club at the "Shreddies/Parks Tennis Camp.
Tuesday July 27 2010
CARLOW Crusaders Complete Leinster League Final Line Up The Carlow Crusaders have taken another step on their path back to the All Ireland final after they overcame a stiff challenge from the North Dublin Eagles.
Two early tries from the Crusaders gave them an eight point lead as they look to get motoring in Tullow.
However, the Eagles didn't lose any confidence in their ability and they came back at the Crusaders and spent large parts of the first half in the final third of the pitch.
Strong defence from the hosts kept out the Eagles for as long as they could before they pulled a try back thanks to big runs from Marcus Kelly.
A returning Stevie Gibbons was influential for the Crusaders who, despite spending long periods defending, went in at the break with a slender lead.
The second half saw the Eagles continue to attempt to put the Crusaders under pressure and that pressure paid off as they forced a number of errors.
However, Stuart O'Malley and Sean Hennessy both made big breaks out of defence for the Crusaders took the pressure off.
The Eagles kept themselves within one score before the Crusaders broke twice in the last five minutes to secure their spot in the Leinster League Final.
A meeting with the Dublin City Exiles now awaits the Crusaders who have yet to be defeated this season.
Further information on the final will be releases shortly.
The Carlow Crusaders have taken part in the last three All Ireland Finals
They have won one of those finals which took place in 2008
Their opponents in the Final will be the Dublin City Exiles
The last meeting between the sides saw the Crusaders defeat the Exiles 46-32
