Old Belvedere 22 Clontarf 20:There was high drama to the end before Eddie Devitt's try on the final whistle left Clontarf shell-shocked and ensured Old Belvedere a place in the Ulster Bank All-Ireland League final.
The pulsating Division 1 semi-final at Anglesea Road could have gone either way but it’s Belvedere who will take their place in the final where they will take on either Cork Constitution or Young Munster, who contest tomorrow’s semi-final at Temple Hill.
With the clock fast running out the sides were level at 17 points apiece and looked set to go into extra time. Clontarf then looked to have the have the game won when Belvedere gave away a needless penalty with 90 seconds remaining and Daragh O’Shea kept his composure to kick over the penalty.
However there was to be further drama – and one final and decisive act – to decide the outcome.
Immediately after the restart, Eddie Devitt picked up the ball on the Belvedere wing before he chipped ahead and ran onto it to score the winning try right at the death.
Clontarf had led 12-9 at the break after they dominated the first half. Tries came from Kilian Lett and man of the match Barry O’Mahony in the first 15 minutes. However Conal Keane kept the Belvedere scoreboard ticking over with three penalties to keep in touch.
Clontarf went on to make a strong start to the second half with O’Mahony crossing the whitewash for his second try of the game.
Shortly afterwards things began to unravel slightly for Clontarf, who had Michael Keating and Ben Reilly sin-binned at the same time for crossing over.
By the time Belvedere number eight Leo Auva’a got over the line for their first try of the match the game was level at 17-17.
But no one looking on at Anglesea Road venue could have predicted the drama that was to unfold; it was heartache for Clontarf and sheer delight for Old Belvedere at the final whistle.
In the Division 1 play-off Garryowen were comfortable 23-9 winners over Buccaneers at Dooradoyle.
OLD BELVEDERE:D Riordan; E Devitt, J Kennedy, B Woods, D Mongan; Conal Keane, S Keogh; V Soden, D Gilchrist, S Maguire; R Leydon, B Marshall; J Slattery, J Risden, L Auva'a.
CLONTARF: D O'Shea; M Keating, K Lett, E Ryan, C O'Shea; M Dufficy, H Nolan; C Kavanagh, A Dundon, N Treston (capt); B Gissing, M Kearney; E Cremin, B O'Mahony, S Crawford.
Referee:John Carvill (IRFU)
Results
Ulster Bank League Division 1 Semi-final
Old Belvedere 22 Clontarf 20
Division 1 Play-off
Garryowen 23 Buccaneers 9
Division 2
Ballymena 48 Terenure 11
Ballynahinch 35 Old Wesley 23
Clonakilty 15 bective Rangers 19
DLSP 21 Old Crescent 17
Dublin University 31 UCD 22
Malone 6 Belfast Harlequins 34
Queens University 35 Midleton 15
Thomond 10 Corinthians 27
Division 3
Banbridge 17 Seapoint 15
City of Derry 58 Naas 6
Connemara 15 Highfield 36
Greystones 35 Navan 5
Barnhall 19 Instonians 12
Sundays Well 20 Nenagh Ormond 23
Suttonians 24 Rainey OB 28
Wanderers 41 Ards 12
