Leinster League U17 Final – Clontarf 23 – Seapoint 0
Having progressed from a very tough semi final against Skerries, Clontarf U17s took to the field on Saturday 4th Ferbruary against Seapoint RFC. The final was hosted at a neutral venue – Coolmine RFC in wet and soggy conditions.
A bright start from Clontarf and a sustained 15 minutes or so of pressure in the opposition 22 failed to secure any score. Seapoint countered and earned a penalty kick within range. Their kicker failed to make it count and soon after ‘Tarf were out of the blocks with a superb try. Clontarf missed the conversion but added a penalty to make it 8-0 at half time.
The second half was as tough as the first but Clontarf’s No. 12 Harry Keeley added his second try on about 60 minutes. Winger come full back Conor Harty scored a superb third try for Clontarf with 10 minutes remaining.
It was one of those matches which was impossible to pick out a man of the match. The pack were immense. The backs were superb. Team: 1. Olivier Gillet, 2. Jack Hutchinson, 3. Tim Nieuwenhuizen, 4. Robert Cooley (C), 5. James McGauran, 6. James Doyle, 7. Charles Piquet, 8. Gareth Kyne, 9. Keith Boucher, 10. Mark White, 11. Eoin O’Connell, 12. Harry Keeley, 13. Sean McCullagh, 14. Mark Glennon, 15. Conor Harty, Subs: 16. Luke Scullion, 17. Enda Kelly, 18. Patrick Foley, 19.Daragh Irwin, 20. David O’Byrne, 21. Gavin Duff, 22. Ronan Duffy
Additional Squad Members: Duffy Sean, Condon David, Connolly Adam, Betsunaiedze Beka, Callanan Luke, Nazaruk Kamil, Arnold Nicolas, Byrne Shane, Emile Prior, Whelan Darren, Trench Luke, Power Gary, Sweeney Bernard
Leinster League U13s
The U17 success was preceded two weeks earlier by the under 13s winning the Leinster League. The A team came through their programme unbeaten while the B team were pipped in the last game having had a clean sheet to that point. There are more than 70 boys spread across three squads at under 13 level (players born in 1999) in the club, the most Clontarf have ever had at that level.