![IMG_1759[1]](https://www.clontarfrugby.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/IMG_17591-r0auqsjkvqajbxztvoedw82m83wspfnwvqydv92whe.jpg "IMG_1759[1]")
Clontarf rumbled out after an extended Christmas break, due to a weather cancellation in Armagh last weekend.
Not surprisingly, things were a little bit clunky for a large part of the game, as the players reintroduced themselves to each other and the patterns of play. After both sides exchanged penalties, Hinch made the first notable inroad with a try in the right corner after some faffing around by Tarf in midfield resulted in field position for the visitors. That play resulted in Mark O’Sullivan being introduced for debutant Paddy Martin who took an unfortunate whack in the face in defence.
Having conceded a try, Tarf were stung into action and, almost immediately from the restart, moved the ball through multiple hands at pace from left to right. Mark O’Sullivan stepped beautifully into space and after two paces found James McKeown coming on a slashing run for the score. He added a second later in the half, finishing fast hands with a straight burst for the corner. James has been out for a while recovering from a niggly injury but he hasn’t forgotten where the try line is. Hinch added a penalty and the teams separated at Half Time with the score 17 13 to Tarf.
The second half continued where the first left off, with one significant difference. In the first half Tarf we’re creating, but not finishing chances. The physical dominance of the home pack was marked and possibly more positively imbalanced by the presence of Alex Soroka and Brian Deeny, from Leinster, along with a number of Hinch notables being absent due to injury last weekend. What wasn’t happening was scores emanating from dominance. Case in point was the number of times the Hinch defensive line was breached by power. These are not planned moves and more often than not release a player deep into the opposition secondary with limited support. The balance of risk now sits with the secondary defence, who are odds on to make a turnover. So …. much excitement and a lot of home frustration to vent!
However , power eventually tells and as the second half progressed, Hinch began to crack and Tarf passes began to stick. After 55 minutes a period of Clontarf dominance on the ball saw play shift from one touch line to another at pace. Con Kelly saw space on the left and James McKeown was odds on to get a hat trick after a fortuitous bounce but was brought down a yard from the line. Sam Owens had the wherewithal and skill to pounce, gather, and pass in one movement and James Conroy accepted the gift in the left corner. That brought breathing space on the scoreboard (24 13) and calmness and extra precision on the pitch. Hinch worked a penalty for 24 16.
With 15 to go, Mark O’Sullivan got in for a well-deserved score after some pick and shunt from the home pack got them to the Hinch line for 31 16 and a bonus point.
At this point it was about scoreboard management for Hinch and accuracy for Tarf when they had the ball. Tarf were a little fortunate to get a 50:22 after a huge punt from Tadgh Bird caught everyone out of position . The resulting lineout was mauled to the line and Con Kelly bounced in for a try to add to his list of glorious accomplishments during this game. I mean, perfection or what ? 6 conversions, a penalty, a try and enough time for some close dancing with Bradley Luney as well ! Not to be outdone, Ben Griffen roused himself from scrum dominance and put the cherry on it by finishing off a maul in place of Dylan.
So six tries, six conversions and a penalty. Pretty serious performance.
Next week is a biggie. Lansdowne have seen some success with wins over Marys and Armagh and are a sniff away from the business end of the League. It’s set up to be a cracker.
Again, many thanks to our Jersey Sponsors
A special thank you to John Dickson for the action photos and to Peter Walsh for the words
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