Clontarf battered their way to retaining the Smithwick's Old Belvedere Floodlit Cup at Anglesea Road last night. It was a victory based on defence. While Lans downe applied it, Clontarf applied it better.

"That was important for us," said Clontarf coach Brent Pope afterwards. `'We were upset at the way we played against Terenure in the Leinster championship final. But we spent a weekend in Portumna since then and we got through some really good work." Lansdowne looked to have the sharper three-quarters and this was evident from as early as the fifth minute when Brian Glennon got over for an admirable team try that owed much to right wing Marcus Dillon's fielding of a `Garryowen' near halfway.

This roused Clontarf. If they were aware of the importance of their tackling before the try, they made it plain that they were not set to concede another. They relished hitting the man in possession.

In the 18th minute second-row Colm Power burst over for Clontarf's first try, which was converted by Richie Murphy. Two more penalties from the out-half gave Clontarf something to defend and how they loved that prospect.

Rory Kearns landed a penalty for Lansdowne in the 29th minute but that would be the end of their contribution to the scoreboard. Try as they might, they just could not break through a stone wall of tacklers.

In the second half, the ferocity of the exchanges gave the impression that one breakthrough would be enough to totally deflate either side. In the 70th minute, Ronan O'Reilly fancied taking Niall Gunne on the outside and his confidence and momentum were rewarded when he rolled over to score. Murphy added the points and did it again three minutes later when right wing Ryan O'Neill speared through an exhausted defence.

Clontarf: M Woods; R O'Neill, C Bewley, T Meagher, O Winchester; R Murphy, R O'Reilly; W O'Kelly, B Jackman, H Hurley, R Voester , C Power, A Dignam, P Ward, C Brownlee. Replacements: P McQuillan for O'Kelly (59 mins), M Coughlan for Power (70 mins), D Moore for Ward (75 mins), A McLean for Winchester (76 mins), S Berti for Murphy (79 mins).

Lansdowne: R Kearns; M Dillon, N Gunne, K McQuilken, N Albertz; B Glennon, I Murphy; E Bohan, P Grimes, O Ennis, G Fulcher, G Quinn, S McEntee, L Toland, J O'Beirne. Replacement: S O'Connor for Quinn (half-time).

Referee: D Tyndall (ARLB).