Clontarf and Ballymena to meet in final

Clontarf will meet Ballymena in next Saturday's AIL Division One final at Lansdowne Road after respective wins over Buccaneers…

Clontarf will meet Ballymena in next Saturday's AIL Division One final at Lansdowne Road after respective wins over Buccaneers and Lansdowne this afternoon.

At a blustery Castle Avenue, AIL table-toppers Clontarf rumbled into the final with a typically robust performance in front of their own fans.

Phil Werahiko's side, who have relied heavily on their pack this season, again signalled their intent from the outset and after just four minutes had a try to show for their efforts.

Having worked their way into Buccaneers territory, the big 'Tarf forwards drove their way to the line, allowing number eight Dave Moore to touch down.

READ MORE

Clontarf continued to keep it tight, using the rolling-maul to great effect with their big front row punching holes in a determined Buccaneers defence.

Indeed, the home side, for whom Moore and Jackman were controlling proceedings, will have been disappointed they failed to convert their dominance into further points and it was the visitors who notched the next score on the half-hour mark, Turner kicking a penalty.

However, that seemed to sting Clontarf into action and 60 seconds later they breached the Bucc's line after a rare passing movement. Out-half Hewitt chipped through and when the Bucc's defence failed to clear the danger, the ball was swung wide to Ollie Winchester who raced into the corner for a 10-3 half-time lead.

Buccaneers went all out after the interval but despite putting the home side under intense pressure, they could only muster another Turner penalty to reduce the deficit to four points.

Their cause wasn't helped by the lack of discipline of captain Eoin Brennan and Rowan Frost who both spent 10 minutes in the sin bin for separate infringements.

And, after soaking up all that Buccs could throw at them, Clontarf broke out to snatch a try on 70 minutes to effectively put the tie beyond doubt.

Deep in the Clontarf 22, Buccs wing Paddy O'Sullivan attempted to kick through the defence but watched his effort ricochet off a defenders leg, leaving Niall O'Brien a clear run at the visitors line. O'Shea converted and minutes later an Andy Dunne drop-goal to leave the scores 20-6.

On the back pitch at Lansdowne Road, the crowd were made to wait until the second half before either side registered a score in an extremely tight contest.

Matt Leek scored opened the home side's account with a well struck drop-goal to put his side's noses in front.

However, Ballymena rallied well and it was the visitors who scored the only tries of the match through second row Mark Blair to claim a 10-3 win and a berth in next weekend's showpiece.

AIL Division One play-offs

Clontarf 20-6 Buccaneers

Lansdowne 3-10 Ballymena

Division Two play-offs

Old Crescent 31-15 DLSP
Dolphin 20-18 UCC

Division Three final

Waterpark 5-51 Wanderers