AIL Match Report: UCC 15 Tarf 17
by Mark Byrnes
Clontarf gave their play off chances a huge boost with this late late win over UCC at the Mardyke
Coupled with a second straight defeat for Buccaneers, Tarf’s victory put them firmly in the driving seat to seal promotion in the coming weeks.
The match against UCC won’t go down as a classic, but for excitement, it certainly entertained as the hoards of Tarf supporters who made the trip, went home breathing collective sighs of relief.
Clontarf began slowly and an early missed penalty from UCC centre Andrew Burke would prove costly in the end for the home side.
Clontarf settled after a jittery first ten minutes and an excellent driving maul resulted in Sam Cronin getting the touchdown. Noel Reid converted the try and added a penalty on the quarter hour to leave it 10-0.
The home side was reduced to 14 when full back Willie Walsh was sent to the bin and this seemed to spur UCC on and they came close to a score on 22 minutes but knocked on very close to the line.
Vice-Captain Burke missed his second penalty for UCC as Clontarf went in at half time 10-0 to the good.
UCC were a changed side after the break and came out on the offensive straight away and were rewarded with a converted try after 49 minutes. The home side’s tails were up and deservedly equalised on the hour with a penalty and the game was anyone’s to win or lose.
UCC went in front with just thirteen minutes remaining when the ball blitzed across the backline and the score was dotted down in the corner- the conversion from Burke hitting the upright.
Clontarf were in serious trouble now, but dug deep for the last ten minutes and were just about hanging on to a losing bonus point.
The match was deep into stoppage time, when Clontarf were awarded a penalty on the half way line- Daragh O’Shea made good ground with the touch finder as Clontarf surged forward.
A further penalty for Clontarf gave them a chance, but the referee informed them, that this was the last play- a scrum was called as subs Paul O’Donohoe and Martin Dufficy combined to release wing Mick McGrath and the young winger danced his way through the defence to dot down under the posts. Dufficy landed the winning kick to leave UCC crestfallen and Tarf jubilant as the final whistle blew.