Clontarf V Co Carlow match report
Author: NULL
2004-10-26
AIB AIL Division 1

24 Oct 2004


Clontarf Survive Carlow Onslaught!!


Carlow 6 Clontarf 11


Clontarf travelled to Carlow last Saturday with high expectations after their historic away win over Ballymena.
Carlow traveled to Oak Park with a simple game plan….smash the life out of everything in red and blue for 80 minutes and then see what the score is!

Clontarf prevailed in this dogged battle because they scored a try in the first 7 minutes and then showed superb defensive composure for the next 78 or so.

Well to be fair, they had to defend because any time the red and blue got hold of the ball it was simply to contrive to give it back again. It could have been the elements, wet, slippy ball etc or it could have been the home sides ferocity, but ‘Tarf could not hold the ball long enough to build anything of note going forward. Time and again they were mugged and in no phase of play did their possession look safe.
Ultimately it came down to defense, and in that area Clontarf were immense. Tackle after tackle went in and when the vital turnovers were forced, out half David McAllister was on hand to unleash one of his thunderous kicks for touch.
It ended, mercifully, with ‘Tarf hanging on to their 11 v 6 lead; Carlow will rue losing Richie Murphy after 10 minutes because he was their main pivot going forward and presented their main scoring threat. Clontarf will point to the home sides scoreless second half and will take this titanic defensive performance and the 4 points back to Castle Avenue where they will face Dungannon in their first home game in two weeks time.

Played two, won two, a record start!

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