ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE/Division One: A decisive try by scrumhalf Mike Walls nine minutes from the end gave Clontarf a hard-fought win over Bucaneers in their AIL Division One game at Ballinasloe yesterday.
This was a match the home side should have won, but lack of concentration on more than one occasion cost them dearly. Buccaneers started with an 11th minute penalty by outhalf Justin Meagher, followed by a Tim Allnutt try in the 27th minute.
Clontarf scored their first try just before the interval when number eight Ben Giffing crossed and James Dempsey converted to leave the home side 8-7 ahead at half-time.
Meagher stretched Buccaneers's margin inside six minutes with a penalty before winger Daire Higgins crossed for Clontarf's second try.
Meagher was again on target in the 26th minute, but as the home side fought desperately to hold on for victory they were undone by wayward kicking and misplaced passes.
They eventually succumbed to Walls's try, which was was converted by James Dempsey to give the visitors victory, enduring the training session on the pitch in Ballinasloe on Saturday was worthwhile.
CLONTARF: D O'Brien; D Higgins, A Reddan, J Downey, O Winchester; J Dempsey, M Walls; W O'Kelly, M Kennedy, A Clarke, D Sheehan, A Wood, P Duignam, D Quinn, B Giffing. Subs: J Fisher for Kennedy, D Moore for Downey,
BUCANEERS: W Munn; M Devine, D Yapp, T Allnutt, T Robinson; J Meagher, C Keane; R McCormack, P Flanagan, M Cahill, R Frost, N Smullen, G Schoeman, E Brennan, C Rigney. Subs: G Kenny for Brennan, C O'Loughlin for Keane
Referee: G Doyle (Ulster)
Clontarf ... 19
Buccaneers ... 14
Clontarf's first win outside Leinster this season puts them in third place in the table. But they need a point in their final match (v Dungannon)to be sure of a top-four place.
Applying the maximum five-point potential (a win plus a bonus point) for every team, Clontarf (43) and Garryowen (40) remain vulnerable if they lose their last game and do not come to within seven points of their opponents for a loser's bonus point. St Mary's (39) have a 44-point potential, as do UCD. They are the only sides currently outside the top four who could climb back in if results go their way. But they are relying on Clontarf and Garryowen to slip up. If all four teams finish on 44 points, Clontarf and Garryowen currently have the better points difference.
Cork Con and Shannon are secure on 48 points and 47 points respectively. They are now looking for home semi-finals in the play-offs.
Final weekend of Division One AIL matches (March 30th) - Blackrock College v St Mary's College; Buccaneers v Cork Constitution; Carlow v Ballymena; Dungannon v Clontarf; DLSP v Galwegians; Garryowen v UCD; Terenure v Shannon; Young Munster v Lansdowne
