Lansdowne Lose Out To Three-Try Clontarf

Bernard Jackman’s Clontarf side tightened their grip on top spot in Division 1B of the All-Ireland League, thanks to a three-try victory over Lansdowne at Castle Avenue on Saturday.

In icy cold conditions, the visitors dominated most of the early exchanges and foraged into a 11-0 lead by the 24th minute.

Tricky winger Matt Healy claimed a 15th minute try for Lansdowne, who have struggled away from home so far this season, while their experienced out-half Eoghan Hickey kicked the other six points.

Clontarf rallied before the break. A penalty from out-half Noel Reid opened their account with opposing centres Evan Ryan and Simon Morrissey spending time in the sin-bin.

Then a controversial penalty try, in the dying moments of the first half, helped Clontarf close the gap to 11-10 for the interval.

A second Reid penalty edged the hosts ahead within four minutes of the restart and they maintained the lead until the finish, thanks to third quarter tries from hooker Aaron Dundon and ex-Leinster lock Ben Gissing.

Lansdowne hit back with a second try from Healy, which Hickey converted, to give last season's Division 2 champions a losing bonus point.