Ballymena V Clontarf Match Report
Author: NULL
2004-10-19
AIB All Ireland League Division 1 16/10/04


Ballymena 20 Clontarf 21


As Orla, the Clontarf Physio put it “maybe the karma is with us now”

Last season Clontarf managed to lose 5 games with the clock beyond the 80 mark. On Saturday, in a blustery Eaton Park they deservedly took the points with a controlled maul after a superb touch by Out Half David McAllister.
While it took all of the time allowed to put the game away the fact is that Clontarf were the superior side and showed many of the touches that up to this game had seemed beyond them in a competitive match situation. They peaked just at the right time and will now go from strength to strength.

Mc Allister opened the scoring with a penalty after 8 minutes and three minute later floated a beautifully weighted pass for Mc Elligot to score. Some sloppy play allowed Ballymena to build momentum and after a crucial missed tackle at the half way they scored beside the posts despite a great effort by scrum half Van Zyl to hold up one of their giant forwards.
Clontarf went in at half time leading 13 to10 after the try of the match scored by Mark Hewitt. A practiced 8/9 move saw McElligot looping around to set fullback Hewitt free on one of his trademark dancing runs. He delayed the pass long enough to confuse at least three defenders and then put his brother in at the corner.
In the second half both teams tagged on penalties until inexplicably Clontarf lost what seemed to be secure possession at a line out maul. Ballymena broke downfield and after what seemed like dozens of popped passes scored under the posts. They converted for 20 to 16 for the home side and the stage was set for ‘Tarfs finale.

This was a sterling effort from a new side and augers very well for the future. Work needs to be done to keep up the momentum but for now we must savour a historic victory against the odds by a quality character filled side.

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