Clontarf Go Top Of AIB League

With Cork Constitution beaten by Garryowen in Limerick, Clontarf sit on top of the AIB League Division One table thanks to a 16-3 win over Terenure College at Lakelands.

Clontarf sit on top of the AIB League Division One table this morning thanks to a 16-3 win over Terenure College at Lakelands yesterday afternoon. Clontarf were the better drilled side and they led 9-0 at half time thanks to three Daragh O’Shea penalties. Two minutes into the second half Richard Governey landed a penalty to reduce the deficit and signal a period of Terenure dominance. However Clontarf survived that and in the 75 minute Gareth Rossi finally breached the tenacious Terenure defence to score the game’s only try and deny the home side a bonus point.

Clontarf’s ascension to the top was helped by the defeat of Cork Constitution. They were beaten 34-13 by Garryowen in Dooradoyle. In the process they picked up a bonus point with a fourth try on the stroke of full time. Garryowen were 13 points up after 25 minutes thanks to a Paul Neville try, converted by Billy Treacy who also added a penalty as did Alan Purcell. Con hit back with a Donncha O’Callaghan try but in the second half Garryowen lorded it over their Cork rivals and their tries came from Simon Kerr, Billy Treacy and Dermot McInerney.

In Oak Park, it was a question of champions Shannon taking their chances and the home side, Co Carlow, failing to do likewise. The visitors went 10 points down after Billy Murphy crossed for an excellent 2nd minute try which Michael Swetman converted. Swetman then added a penalty but that was to be the final score for the home side who missed a number of kickable penalties. Niall McNamara got Shannon off the mark with a try in the 9th minute, brilliantly converted from the touchline by Andrew Thompson and Thompson levelled with a penalty just before the break. Thompson kicked Shannon in front with a 58th minute penalty and David Quinlan scored the crucial try two minutes later.

UCD moved off the bottom of the table with a 23-19 win over UL Bohemians, the student’s out-half Eoghan Hickey, kicking six penalties while Buccaneers won a dour encounter with Lansdowne at Moher Road, winning 8-3 thanks largely to an 11th minute Damian Hunt try.