ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE ROUND-UP:CLONTARF took a vital step in what is proving an outstanding season by securing a hard-earned 23-16 Division One B Ulster Bank League success over Lansdowne on the artificial back pitch at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Not only did this deserved win assure them of promotion but it also means they are virtually certain of a place in the semi-finals, alongside the three Division One A qualifiers. Only a complete collapse in the final two games, and Buccaneers picking up close to maximum points from their last three outings, will deny Clontarf a play-off spot.
Down to 14 men after the sin binning of Martin Garvey five minutes from the end of normal time, and leading 20-16, they were forced to defend desperately but they made certain of victory with a penalty from Martin Dufficy.
A shock 34-25 home defeat by Blackrock College means last year’s beaten finalists St Mary’s College are in danger of missing the play-offs. They remain in third spot but are just two points ahead of Young Munster and their final two games are against Cork Constitution and Old Belvedere. St Mary’s led 15-14 at the break but Blackrock then took control and move further away from relegation trouble up to fifth. They scored five tries – Alex Dunlop, Alan McGinty, Jan Simon-Byrne (2) and Mark Scott-Lennon – with Robert Sweeney replying with two tries for St Mary’s.
Young Munster moved closer to St Mary’s with a 16-3 home win over Shannon. Ray Moloney got the game’s only try, the rest of Young Munster’s points coming from two penalties and a conversion from Alan Kingsley and a drop goal from Willie Staunton.
Old Belvedere stay top of the table on points difference, despite being held 16-16 by Dolphin at Anglesea Road. They led for most of the game with tries from Danny Riordan and Eddie Devitt but Dolphin were inspired by Barry Keeshan who landed all 16 points – a try, conversion and three penalties.Cork Con were held to an 11-11 draw by bottom side Garryowen. Scott Deasy crossed for Cork Con’s try, while Alan Gaughan accrued all of Garryowen points, scoring a try, and kicking two penalties.
In Division One B, Buccaneers are making life difficult for themselves as they chase the second automatic promotion spot. Their 21-15 loss to Galwegians at Crowley Park was their third in a row. Darragh Fanning crossed for one of Galwegians’ tries with the other two by Dave Nolan and Conor Muldoon. Kolo Kiripati contributed two tries for Buccaneers.
Fourth-placed UL Bohemians went down to a surprise 23-20 home defeat to UCC. Dungannon had a 21-8 home win over Bruff, a result which means the Limerick side are just two points ahead of Galwegians at the bottom.
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