Clontarf reveal home truths

Rugby All-Ireland League: Clontarf - 21  Co Carlow - 15 Forget about the mass exodus of players and the defeat against Blackrock two weeks ago because Clontarf proved they still know how to win tight matches, especially at Castle Avenue.

Although only seventh in the table, Saturday's victory ensured they remain nicely poised for an assault on Cork Constitution and Shannon at the top of the AIB League table.

Also, their coach Phil Werahiko learned some vital home truths about the side he has rebuilt. Firstly, winger-cum-full back Niall O'Brien is actually a centre. Playing at inside centre, he broke the Carlow defensive line on three separate occasions in the first half only to see the cover stifle the try-scoring opportunity. But it was up front where Clontarf really impressed.

However, in the first half Carlow only had two significant forays into their opponents' 22, yet both yielded tries for Maurice Logue and outhalf Benjamin Young. Logue crossed wide on the right in the second minute after Ian Dwyer sent him over with some quick hands.

Dave McAllister pulled Clontarf back with a well-struck penalty but on 25 minutes Young cut through the home defence before looping around Daniel Mallon to squeeze in at the corner and he also landed the difficult conversion.

Young's importance to Carlow was highlighted when he limped off injured early in the second half and thereafter the visitors seemed to press the self-destruct button.

The wind also had a big say on the contest, so Clontarf would have been content to trail only 12-6 at half-time after McAllister slotted another penalty against the strong breeze.

The only other talking point of the opening half was the sin-binning of Carlow prop Kent Ashmore for foul play. Their inspirational number eight, Andy Melville, ably deputised at loosehead for the 10 minutes.

The second half belonged to Clontarf as they played the elements excellently with McAllister keeping his forwards happy with kicks deep into opposition territory.

Carlow failed to capitalise on the yellow card shown to Dave Moore, early in the second half, and it was Moore who got the try that reduced the deficit to one-point after a powerful rolling maul.

Soon afterwards McAllister landed his third penalty to edge his side in front, 14-12.

Carlow relinquished their 100 per cent record four minutes from time when substitute Simon O'Donnell collected a loose throw at the tail of the lineout, shrugged off three challenges and got over near the posts. McAllister added the extra points. Carlow player-coach Dan van Zyl salvaged a bonus point before the finish when he landed a penalty.

SCORERS: Clontarf: D McAllister 3 pens, con; D Moore, S O'Donnell try each. Co Carlow: B Young Try Con; M Logue try; S Van Zyl pen.

CLONTARF: D O'Shea; D Higgins, C Mahony, N O'Brien, D Rossi; D McAllister, B Wakely; W O'Kelly, N Carson, S Brophy, J Duffy, A Wood, D Quinn, A Cullen, D Moore. Replacements: J Wickham for O'Kelly (29 mins), B Wood for Carson, S O'Donnell for Duffy, A Dignam for Cullen (all 57 mins).

CO CARLOW: B Murphy; M Logue, T Bonnefoy, M Sweetman, I Dwyer; B Young, D Van Zyl; K Ashmore, A Galavan, K Corrigan, R Sheriff, D Cox, , D Mallon, D Hyland, A Melville. Replacements: M Buckley for Dwyer, B Curran for Young (53 mins), A Barry for Galavan (75 mins).

Referee: L Mayne (Munster).