SECONDS WIN METRO LEAGUE!!
23/01/2007
Clontarf J1 33 Greystones 30

Clontarf 2nds took the J1 League trophy on Sunday for the fourth time in the last six seasons. The updated structure for the League saw the, much derided, playoff system overturned for a straight first to the post winner and Clontarf ‘s stunning season saw them home well ahead of the chasing pack.
Clontarf have played 13 games , have won 12 , have scored 526 points to date and have earned 13 bonus points.
This has been an astonishing season. Some of the individual performances have been heroic and, given the requirements of the AIL side due to injuries, the teams ability to continually regenerate its momentum with new faces every week has been a credit to the Clontarf coaching structures. There were many occasions when young players were parachuted in to the side , introduced themselves in the changing room at a Thurday session, and promptly left the field the following Sunday having scored a brace of tries. For me there were two highlights. The first was in Anglesey Road where a young ‘Tarf side took on a vastly more experienced Old B team and matched them toe to toe in all facets of the game including a distracting punch up which resulted in the home side sneaking a score. We lost narrowly that day in a classic rugby match.
The second was in Merrion Rd where Wanderers, citing their ‘Squad’ system sent out a side with a backrow consisting of three huge ‘Imports’. Clontarf took 20 minutes to eye these monsters up and then set about them like dogs. By the end of the game the home sides investment was looking awfully ragged and the away side headed home with the game and a bonus to boot.
The season is not over. We have two more trophies to chase, the first is the new Presidents Cup which will involve the top 4 teams in the J1 Metro League and the top 4 teams from the Leinster Junior League,and the last is the traditional Metro cup. This will bring our season, victory permitting, well into the April sunshine.
Our President, Mr McLoughlin, has decreed that the J1’s should win the treble this year.
As you know any thing the President wants ………. The President gets! 

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