Going into the match, Clontarf knew they were going to have to pull out something special to overcome St. Mary’s. ‘Tarf’s only hope of avoiding relegation to Division 1B was a bonus point victory, but it was not to be.

Relegation may seem like like a harsh blow for Bernard Jackman’s men who have battled fiercely against many of the big contenders all season, but with several narrow defeats, their final execution has been slightly lacking.

Once again, ‘Tarf lost concentration at some crucial points in the game and St. Mary’s duly took advantage by scoring three tries in ten second half minutes which ultimately determined ‘Tarf’s fate.

The first half was a slightly dull affair with most of the rugby being played in the middle third of the pitch.

However, just before half-time, St. Mary’s burst into life. Out-half Shaun McCarthy, dictating the back-line moves, helped bring play into ‘Tarf’s 22.

With the home side’s defence stretched, the ball came out to flanker Damian Hall who had enough space to muscle over the line at the corner.

St. Mary’s continued in the same fashion at the start of the second half, playing confidently with ball in hand and it took just four minutes to add another try.

Scrum half Conor McPhillips made a clever break off the back of a lineout, and this set St. Mary’s up in a nice position. Centre Stephen Grissing lost possession as he attacked on the right but managed to pick up the loose ball and touch down for the visitors’ second try.

Five minutes later, the Saints were in the same position and this time it was the in-form Mark Sexton who easily broke through a tiring ‘Tarf defence to touch down under the posts.

Clontarf seemed hungry to get back into the game but just when they put some good phases together, the alert McCarthy intercepted skilfully and popped the ball out to replacement Philip Brophy who darted for the line and beat two despairing tackles on the way.

By the fourth quarter, it was an open game with both sides playing freely which made for a lively finish.

The home side came back well after big lock Ben Reilly drove over the line from a close range ruck. The score came on the back of a long spell of possession in their opponents’ 22.

This gave ‘Tarf the inspiration for two more tries in the final ten minutes from replacement Henry Bryce and number 8 Martin Garvey.

But they never really came within distance of a comeback, especially with the competent Dunne scoring a converted try and a penalty to close out the game.

This was St. Mary’s fourth win in-a-row and with home advantage against Old Belvedere in next Saturday’s semi-final, they are in good position to go all the way.

CLONTARF: Ben Woods; Michael Keating, Daragh O’Shea, Killian Lett, Sean Carey; Martin Dufficy; Hugo Nolan; Ciaran Kavanagh, Aaron Dundon, Niall Treston, Ben Reilly, Simon Crawford (capt), Eoin Cremin, Niall Carson, Martin Garvey.

Replacements used: Phil Howard for Carey (52 mins), Jason Harris-Wright for Treston (57), Peter Synott for Cremin, Henry Bryce for Woods (both 60).

The visitors were rewarded with another soft try at the start of the second half when Clontarf out-half Martin Dufficy lost the ball in contact. Garryowen captain Conan Doyle scooped it up to run half the length of the pitch unchallenged and score under the posts. But Clontarf responded straight away, bringing play right into the Garryowen 22, and they managed to score a superb try when flanker Niall Carson popped the ball inside to centre Daragh O’Shea who broke through and finished well. After this ‘Tarf were a reinvigorated team. They produced some excellent running rugby, giving the game an extra spark and turning it into a fierce battle.
It was not until the 68th minute that ‘Tarf closed the gap up to a single point.Bernard Jackman’s side used their possession and territory to good effect and when scrum half Hugo Nolan offloaded to number 8 Martin Garvey, he went low into a tackle and sneaked over the line for a second try.
Yet, Garryowen regrouped and composed themselves and althought out-half Willie Staunton missed a kickable drop goal shot, Paul Cunningham’s charges held on to keep their bid for the play-offs on track.They are now fifth in the table, just four points behind third-placed Shannon and with a game in hand.

The 3rds played into a gentle wind in the first half. The game was always going to be close but with the visitors needing 4 tries, a bonus point win as well as overhauling a 14 point points difference the Tarf side were not going to shy away to easy. In the end it was to big a mountain to climb for the visitors as Tarf claimed the title missing from the cabinet for too long.

What do you do when after finishing the job, after completing the herculean task , against the odds , and you are standing in front of your beauty , your fantasy , gleaming, rumbling and ready for the road and looking down you notice, lying at your feet, taunting you , are two large shiny , important looking , bolts. Bolts that should have been part of the structure but somehow have missed their calling and are here at your feet.

How do you drive your fantasy with that little niggle in the back of your mind that those bloody bolts are, somehow crucial; that you will be taking a corner looking magnificent, sexy even, and suddenly, for want of those two little shiny bastard bolts the car will take the bend and you, sitting smugly in your unbolted seat, will carry on straight through someone’s garden wall and on to their patio in a pile of mush.

Clontarf are a better team than last weekends result but they are playing in a state of tension that happens to teams in a relegation battle. For large parts of Saturdays game Clontarf had Cork Con by the throat but did not have the composure to put them away.

Invariably, if you play like a team expecting something bad to happen, it will. For the home side , a crucial error in the second half gave Con a scrum on the Clontarf line. Clontarf competed well but were unable to deal with the ball squirting out of the side of the scrum and the Con scrum half got the touchdown. That try plus the conversion put Con 20 8 ahead with 20  minutes to go.  The home side finished with a sterling effort from substitute Martin Dufficy who landed a penalty and converted his own try to drag home side to a two point deficit but unfortunately Clontarf ran out of time.

In a very hard fought match Clontarf won the deciding game of the under 18 league. At the end of the league campaign this final match was a “winner takes all” situation with both teams undefeated.

Clontarf started strongly with some very powerful forward driving play lead by captain Gordon Brennan. After ten minutes man of the match scrum half Alan Gibbon took full advantage to dive over for the opening try which he duly converted. ‘Tarf continued to dominate the opening period. Credit to the Tarf scrum, and in particular the front row of Sean Flynn, Stephen Lawless and Barry Whelan, which won six strikes against the head in the opening period.

The pressure told off resulting with a blindside move that saw winger Stephen Lamb go over in the corner. Several players were involved in the lead up to this try including both wing forwards Rob Kearney and Joe Murphy.

Bective came out strongly in the second half and opened the scoring with a breakaway try. They now had the momentum but a planned move between Brennan and Gibbon put centre Sean Bulman through on the halfway. He executed a lovely chip and chase to gather and score the try.

Bective upped the ante and came right back. Some very strong defence by winger Colm Coffey and centre Luke Murphy kept them out for a long period. Good lineout work by second rows Kevin Prout and Aaron O’Toole kept us in the game. However the pressure told and Bective scored their second try, but missed the conversion. This set up nail biting last eight minutes.

Bective piled on the pressure but the Tarf defence stood firm. Jeff Whyte at fullback did a lot good covering and last line of defence tackling. Replacement flanker Cian Keogh pulled off some crucial ball wins. Outhalf Craig Wilson put in some strong clearances and crucial tackles- he showed very good control under pressure. The forward effort, especially the maul work of Aaron O’Toole, was top class. The back row did not miss a tackle. The spirit of the team told allowing the Tarf team to celebrate at the final whistle.

Well done to coach Paddy Lee- he set the standard for the lads. The support of the U17 coaches Karl Cagney and Damien Wilson was also key. A special mention also to Derek Brennan and Kevin Bulman- parents of Gordon and Sean- who have been running extra fitness sessions for the squad.

Team; Jeff Whyte, Colm Coffey, Luke Murphy, Sean Bulman, Stephen Lamb, Craig Wilson, Alan Gibbon, Sean Flynn, Barry Whelan, Stephen Lawless, Aaron O’Toole,Kevin Prout, Joe Murphy(C Keogh HT), Rob Kearney, Gordon Brennan.
Replacements. Cian Keogh.Jimmy Oliver, Ben Kidd, Vincent gavin, Brendan Ryan.

Other panel members who played in league. Niall Twaddle, Daragh Collings, John Gibbon, Conor Kelly, Jamie Buckett, Karl MacKenna, Colin Ryan, Daniel Fanning, Nick Bett.

Club Chairman at Ballymena RFC, Ray Buchanan, said: “This is a very exciting development and one which will show the true nature of rugby. Our Youth teams will be given the opportunity to join with boys from Clontarf and demonstrate the inclusive nature of rugby at all levels”.

“As a club, we are determined to widen our community base to young people from all communities and the partnership with Clontarf will add a significant element to our work in this area.”

The proposal will initially work to a three-year plan. The plan is that by year 2, the boys will play as a joint team for a fixture against local opposition in both Ulster and Leinster.

Year 3 will see this extended to two fixtures against opposition in both provinces. The players will also have the opportunity of staying with their counterpart’s families and experience the cultural and social aspect of each other’s clubs.

The idea was the product of a meeting between Ballymena RFC’s Tom Wiggins and his counterpart in Clontarf, Rory Ryan.

From the outset both agreed that the concept of ‘twinning’ their Youth sections was an exciting prospect. The idea of a joint team to play selected fixtures in both provinces seemed a natural progression and a plan was soon established.

It is hoped that boys from both clubs will better understand the inclusive nature of rugby as a sport and that the project will allow them the opportunity to sample the culture and traditions in both provinces.

Ballymena and Clontarf are firmly of the opinion that rugby plays and will continue to play a significant role in community and cross border relations.

This initiative will highlight the inclusive nature of the game at all levels and will be an example which other clubs can easily follow.

The clubs believe the prospect of a joint team playing selected fixtures may be a first in Ireland. The project has also the backing of no less a person than Dr Syd Millar CBE, the former Chairman of the International Rugby Board.

Syd was delighted when he heard that the project was being considered and was even more delighted that his own club Ballymena were at the forefront of developments.

He and others involved hope this will be seen by others as a very worthwhile endeavour and that clubs in all provinces follow this lead to further enhance the experience provided to young rugby players throughout Ireland.

To kick off the initiative, the boys played a match at Eaton Park and then enjoyed lunch in the Ballymena clubhouse where everyone had an opportunity to chat and make friends.

Ballymena and Ulster full-back Jamie Smith was on hand to watch the boys play and to answer questions from many young players who wish to follow in his footsteps into provincial rugby.

The Ballymena Under-14s will travel to Dublin later in the season for a return fixture to conclude phase one of the project.

• Treatments for all neck, back and joint pain.
• Post op and sports injuries rehabilitation programs back to full activity.
• Orthotic assessment and prescription.
• Postural and Biomechanics assessments with resulting individualised corrective exercise programs.

There will be a 20% discount available for all club members. The opening times of the clinic will be from 08:00 – 20:00 Mon to Fri and 09:00-1300 Saturday. For more information look up www.dynamicphysiotherapy.ie alternatively you can call or email Niall on 0866028088 or castleavenue@dynamicphysiotherapy.ie

Clontarf put in a stirring display against a strong Blackrock side in Stradbrook on Saturday but were ultimately undone in the last quarter as the home side rode some outrageous luck to register a victory. This was a great game between two committed sides looking to put some daylight between them and the Division 1A relegation zone. Rock will be happy with the points and will have toasted the good fortune that saw them benefit from 3 positive rebounds from the woodwork that contributed 10 points. Add a superb defensive chase back that held Dufficy inches from a score under the posts plus a tight call on a forward pass as Keating was heading for the line after the ensuing scrum and you have a recipe for a charismatic conference. Maybe there are moving statues in Stradbrook!

To be fair to ‘Rock, once they got the bit between their teeth they were pretty strong. Any side with Des Dillon , Trevor Hogan and Alex Dunlop in the pack are going to hard to knock off the ball and with Ian Madigan at 10 in charmed kicking form the points racked up late in the second half as the visitors tired.

Clontarf can take great heart from a performance that, in terms of commitment, was easily their best of the season. The pack was ferociously competitive and with Hugo Nolan back from injury at nine firing some superb passes the Clontarf backline was a constant threat to the ‘Rock defence.
Tarf opened the scoring after 8 minutes with an interception from Keating in the Tarf 22, Dufficy converted. After 25 minutes of slugging Rock outhalf Madigan fielded a long kick and bounced a drop goal on the crossbar for 7 3. A Rock penalty at half time made it 7 6 to Tarf.

The second half continued as it left off and Dufficy added two penalties for 13 6 to ‘Tarf. Then the home side pressed the lucky button and Dufficy was held up on the line and Keating was pulled back after a forward pass.. ‘Rock clearly grew following their escape and after a period of pressure on the ‘Tarf line they got in after confusion was sown by the ball squirting out of a ruck to the centre Tonetti who took advantage of a static defence to score by the posts for 13 all. ‘Rock then upped a gear for the last 10 minutes and were good value for the final result as they tacked on two more penalties and a try to Conway in the corner.

We are currently third from the bottom in the League and have 5 games to go with three of those at home. There are no dominant teams in this League and it is clear to me that this young Clontarf side are improving in every game they play.
Commitment , aggression and intensity are all there. What we need now is a fraction more composure on and off the ball which will take the whistle and the flags out of the game and blow the opposition away.