Clontarf's late comeback falls short

All-Ireland League - Clontarf 18 Cork Constitution 20:BERNARD JACKMAN is adamant Clontarf can avoid relegation despite going down to a further defeat at the hands of AIB League Division 1A leaders Cork Constitution at Castle Avenue on Saturday.

The defeat means last season’s defeated finalists remain second last with just three games left. Worryingly, there is now a six -point gap between them and third-from-bottom Garryowen.

Furthermore, Garryowen have a game in hand. Yet, Jackman, the Clontarf coach, saw enough in the closing stages of Saturday’s encounter to provide him with encouragement.

He said: “We have a chance we will be okay. Our late fightback means that we got a losing bonus point, and at least we know we have a team now that wants to fight for it.

“We never gave up. We made some silly errors that cost us dearly against a class outfit like Cork Con. But there were some very good individual performances and, with the same attitude, I believe we can stay up.”

Clontarf’s next outing at home to Garryowen on March 6th will go a long way towards answering that question. There’s also no doubt that outhalf Martin Dufficy will prove a key figure.

Dufficy was left out of the starting line-up with former Cork Con man Peter O’Brien wearing the No 10 jersey. O’Brien, who emigrates to the USA this week, helped Clontarf to remain very much in contention until 16 minutes into the second half.

But, with the sides level at 8-8, Cork Con secured a well worked try from left-wing Cronan Healy. This was soon followed by another try, this time by scrumhalf Duncan Williams, converted by full-back Richard Lane, after some slack defensive work by Clontarf.

Now 20-8 adrift, Clontarf looked down and out but substitute Dufficy inspired a comeback which saw him kick a penalty, go over for a fine individual try, and land the conversion. The try did not arrive until the final minute, but at least it secured the losing bonus point.

Earlier, Lane and Clontarf centre Killian Lett had exchanged first half tries, with Lane and Daragh O’Shea, for the home side, landing penalties. Afterwards, Cork Con coach Brian Walsh was reasonably happy.

He said: “We are delighted to win, although there is a lot to work on. This is a difficult venue to come to and, as was the case when we met them at our ground, there was very little in it.

“We are in a good position, back at the top of the table, with a game in hand against UL Bohemians. So, it’s in our hands . . .”

And what of Clontarf?

“I certainly think they are one of the better sides we have played and they showed the sort of determination they will need if they are to get out of relegation trouble.”

CLONTARF:P Howard; S Carey, D O'Shea, K Lett, M Keating; P O'Brien (M Dufficy 57), H Nolan; C Kavanagh (B Barclay 64), A Dundon (J Harris-Wright 42), N Treston (A Clarke 64), S Crawford (Capt), R Bolger, E Cremen, P Synnott (B Reilly 13), M Garvey.

CORK CONSTITUTION:R Lane; A Ryan, T Gleeson, E Ryan (Capt) (C Desmond 81), C Healy; D Lyons, D Williams; M Gatley (G Murray 75), R Quinn, S Archer, B Hayes, I Nagle (M O'Connell 25), B Cutriss (T Dukelow 68), E Leamy, F Cogan.

Referee:D Wallace.