In a game dominated by a howling gale blowing toward Templeville Road , Clontarf defended into the wind in the first half and , unfortunately for them, let the home side build a 21 3 lead which, in the end , became too high a target for Tarf to overcome in the second 40.
St Mary’s have had something of a transformation since a chequered start to the League saw them hanging nervously in the relegation zone. Three wins on the bounce gave them hope and Friday night offered them a sniff at salvation. Lack of accuracy from Clontarf in the first half turned that sniff into a nibble which, roared on by Rynners Rockettes, the team in blue turned into a defensive rugby feast. In would be unfair and inaccurate to say that Clontarf did not have a chance to win this match, because after a sudden two try burst which brought the score to 21 17 and 20 to go any neutrals in the crowd would have bet on the Northsiders. Unfortunately, in the ferocity of the battle, Clontarf failed to convert a number of chances with the wind in the last quarter which would have decided the game in their favour. Mary’s, gaining heart from the opposition errors, grew in determination and put in a last stand defensive performance worthy of the Spartans at Thermopylae.
The fact is that Clontarf lost this game in the first half when, faced by a team needing to build a score and playing at one thousand miles an hour in pursuit of that target, the visitors decided to match them for octane rather than brain. Hiding the ball in your jocks and walking around the pitch at 2 miles an hour was needed, not chasing a game into a gale with all the associated risks.
Clontarf are now left with a tenuous chance at securing a home semi-final and while we are odds on with the bookies to reach the semi-final stages we will require a sharp injection of composure and tactical nous if we are to go any further than that.
On a positive note it was gratifying to see Conor O’Brien, 19 years of age, introduce himself to the UBL like he was a veteran. Starting on the wing, he fielded everything kicked to him and ran it back with interest. When moved to centre in the second half he orchestrated a break and offload for the second try that had everything an outside centre needs in his weaponry to go a long way in this game.