I can’t remember the last time it rained for an AIL game in Castle Avenue!
For much of the first half spectators were scurrying to and fro from shelter to pitch side. Those who were smart (not me), nipped into the bar and watched the game on live stream courtesy of Ocorian’s sponsorship.
Thankfully, Clontarf had the benefit of the elements at their backs for the first half and that helped to dampen the efforts of the visitors, who opened proceedings with the intensity of a team that was all-in to win.
Hinch came into the game knowing that nothing but a win would do, so the early exchanges were full blooded and physical. They opened the scoring after pressure down the right turned into a perfect kick pass from their no.10 Hutley, to their left winger, who fielded without breaking stride, to score in the corner.
Tarf replied by setting up camp in the visitors 22 and refused to leave until they had levelled the score through the Tarf ground-hog, Dylan Donnellan.
A few minutes later Tarf scored a peach. Some subtle hands from Crosbie and Darcy put blind-side winger O’Donohoe through a gap where he found full back Aitzol King on a straight burst. The ball went inside to scrum-half Murphy and he popped out of the tackle to Darcy for the try.
Half time score was 12 7 to Tarf.
The second half saw Tarf playing into the elements and uncharacteristically losing their composure on the ball. Multiple errors broke the home momentum and a penalty concession for offside was dispatched to the corner by the visiting out half who was a whisper close to overcooking the kick dead. From the resulting line-out maul Clontarf lost Tony Ryan to a yellow and followed that up shortly by losing JJ O’Dea as well.
So down to 13 and when Hinch took full advantage with another kick pass it was 12 14 to the visitors and not looking good for Tarf.
As we moved into the last 15 Tarf managed to get a full team back on board without any further damage and when the nicely rested JJ O’Dea made a superb burst up the left, he found Ben Murphy in support with a run into the Hinch 22. The ball came loose and was booted to touch for a home throw. The resulting maul was sacked illegally for a penalty try and a little bit of hugging and cuddling before Hinch lost a man to the bin. Shortly afterwards Clontarf sealed the game and the bonus with another score to Dylan Donnellan as the visitor’s resistance wilted.
Final score was Clontarf 24 Ballynahinch 14. Special mention to Ben Murphy and Gus Lloyd who confidently stepped forward to take responsibility for place kicking. Ben got one through the posts and Gus got one in the general direction of the posts. A big shout out to Mick Kearney who sealed a man of the match performance during that 8 minute period, when the pack were down to 6 men. Truly heroic!