SUTTONIANS got a taste of what lies in store for them in the All-Ireland League next season as they bowed out of the Old Belvedere Floodlit Cup to a superior Clontarf side in this full-blooded, second round encounter at Anglesea Road last night.

Suttonians were granted a bye to this stage of the competition, but their participation was cut short by a Clontarf side that benefitted from more powerful and mobile forward unit.

The losers had only themselves to blame for their defeat. Frequent indiscretions from their front eight, which were punished by Clontarf, and a corresponding failure to land any of five penalties did not help their cause in the first half.

Hugh Grennan fluffed an opportunity to draw first blood with a penalty kick from the right early on, but he made partial amends with an effort from the opposite touchline in the fifth minute.

However, he was relieved of the kicking duties after three further misses. Left wing Dan O'Donovan took over for their sixth penalty, on the stroke of the half-time, but his effort also missed the target.

No such misfortune befell their opponents. Clontarf out-half Mark Woods capitalised on four forward transgressions, between the seventh and 28th minutes, to push his side into a nine-point interval lead.

It was no surprise when the winners increased their lead in the 47th minute with a try from second row Philip Quinn, which was converted by Woods from under the posts. Centre Niall Murphy completed the rout in the 68th minute with another touchdown. Clontarf go on to meet the holders, Old Wesley, in the semi-finals.