Terenure 14 – Clontarf 9

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On a blustery wet day in Lakelands Terenure faced the champions Clontarf in what was described as their most defining fixture in the last two years.

Having won 27 games on the trot in a magnificent charge through the UBL leagues the home side lined out for the classic acid test of their credentials. From this point on the challenges in the league become more intense but if Saturday’s defensive display was anything to go by, the Dublin 9 side have the organisation and commitment to take most teams in the League to the brink and beyond.

Their issue will be potential injuries and the depth of their squad given the abandon with which they threw themselves at the visitors, particularly in the last 10 when Clontarf owned the ball and pounded towards the clubhouse end looking for the winning score.   Clontarf will rue some lacklustre handling which allowed the aggressive defensive rush to either force the knock on or the turnover.

It was an unfortunate handling error which resulted in a kick and chase for the only try of the game to the zippy Terenure outside centre O’Neill. That brought the first half score to 11 nil after ‘Tarf had failed with two penalties and ‘Nure had successfully converted two of their efforts.

The second half was a classic example of dogged defence against the odds as ‘Tarf introduced Tony Ryan back from injury and he upped the physical intensity. ‘Tarf managed three penalties to Terenure’s one to bring the score to 14 – 9 for the final 15 minutes which was effectively played out in the home 22 with ferocious attacks repulsed by suicidal defending which was wonderful entertainment for the big good humoured crowd. In the end Terenure held on for honourable and deserved victory which was celebrated noisily afterwards by members of both clubs.

Some traditions are hard to shake off.