BEFORE an enthralled attendance that included Irish coach Murray Kidd, outside-half John Philpott completed an improbable comeback for hosts Old Belvedere with a 73rd-minute dropped goal in this Smithwicks Floodlit Cup first-round tie at Anglesea Road last night.
A gusting wind, a vigilant back row, and the astute tactical awareness of outside-half Mark Woods ensured that the home side remained on the rack until the break.
By then quick-thinking scrumhalf Ken Lawless had poached two tries from close in, in the 27th and 37th minutes. Woods expertly converted both tries to put Clontarf 20-6 in front at the break.
Within five minutes of the restart the visitors were penalised by referee Sean Buggy for persistently infringing close to their own line. Awarded a penalty try, Belvedere edged closer to Clontarf with Philpott's conversion from under the posts.
Yet it wasn't until the 69th minute, when David Hernon sped outside his direct marker Gareth Aherne to slide in at the corner, that Belvedere came within two points of Clontarf.
