Clontarf Lose Again As UCD Strike Late

Division One leaders Clontarf slipped to their second successive league defeat as UCD hit them with an injury-time try at Castle Avenue on Saturday.

AIB LEAGUE: DIVISION ONE: Saturday, January 17

CLONTARF 8 UCD 14, Castle Avenue
Scorers: Clontarf: Try: Phil Howard; Pen: Daragh O’Shea
UCD: Tries: Kevin McLaughlin, Kevin Croke; Cons: Fergus McFadden 2
HT: Clontarf 0 UCD 7

UCD’s hard-working forward unit won the day for them as they conjured up a last-gasp score for flanker Kevin Croke, which Leinster squad member Fergus McFadden converted.

Another of the students’ Leinster-capped players, Kevin McLaughlin, breached the ‘Tarf line in the opening half to put the visitors 7-0 ahead at half-time.

Clontarf tried to move the ball wide more often than not but in muddy conditions, UCD defended manfully.

The hosts were rewarded with a try from winger Phil Howard and captain Daragh O’Shea chipped in with a penalty but UCD, who also won before Christmas at Terenure, had the final say.