Clontarf 27 Lansdowne 19

Clontarf’s AIL home campaign got off to a winning start against last years semi finalists, Lansdowne in front of a reasonable crowd at Castle Avenue. 

With their huge pack dominating the tight and creating chaos in attack it wasn’t long before the scoreboard started rolling for Clontarf. Dylan Donnellan opened the account after an overthrow in the line out was bravely cleaned up by Con Kelly who handed the responsibility back to the pick and jam brigade.

Soon afterwards Conor Kearns found a gap and had Tony Ryan steaming in support . His off load to Angus Lloyd put the scrum half clear and he evaded hot pursuit for the try and 14-nil. 5 minutes later Ben Griffen finished off a line out maul and Tarf were coasting at 21-nil. To their credit Lansdowne stuck with it and after some lax ball control from Tarf, a turnover saw the visitors in for a moral boosting try just on half time. When they added the first score in the second half it was game on. 

From that point on it became a dogged affair with Lansdowne smelling redemption and Clontarf clearly starting to blow hard. The home side rallied and Con Kelly made it 24 14 for some breathing space. Lansdowne scored late on and looked good for the losing bonus but a penalty concession in their 22 right on full time saw Con Kelly deny them with the last kick.

So a happy day for the home crowd. A man of the match performance from Michael Courtney. A debut for teenager Noah Sheridan who looks every inch a Division 1 player, and the play of the game from winger Seni who clobbered a charging prop when a try was odds on.

So, across the drumlins next week for a date with Ballynahinch who are also 2 from 2! Somethings gotta give…