Rugby is a funny game. Sometimes it seems that teams have a hex or an Indian sign over each other that can last for seasons and then suddenly disappear with a bounce of a ball. Clontarf could be justified in viewing St Marys with a degree of suspicion. There is surely something paranormal about that white star …. That’s got to be the reason behind some of their recent victories over us !
Young Munster could be forgiven for feeling equally aggrieved at the sight of the Blue and Red jerseys. They just seem to bring the best out of us no matter the venue.
On Saturday Clontarf set about Young Munster with energy akin to a team of meat packers firing horse meat out the back door of the factory as the quality inspectors were coming in the front. It was definitely a case of the alignment of fitness and form for Tarf which left the visitors gasping for air and chasing shadows for the first half of the game. I can honestly say that I cannot remember the last time my heartbeat stayed steady for a full game but on Saturday Tarf had Young Munster trimmed, filleted, packed, and labelled by half time. It was an outstanding performance of 40 minute intensity which very few sides could live with. Encouragingly, it was followed by another 40 minutes of blitz in the second half.
Richie Lane opened the scoring with a penalty after a great take from Conor O’Keefe from the kickoff and a burst of phases that took Tarf to the visitor’s line. Eight minutes later Mick McGrath opened his account after a dummy by Adrian Darcy. Munsters got a try back after a missed tackle but hit the upright with the conversion attempt. Lane added a penalty after 23 minutes and followed up soon after with a try following a deft piece of handling by Evan Ryan in the centre. Bang on Half time Adrian Darcy got in for a third Tarf try after a lineout maul opened up the blindside.
The half time score was 21 5 to the home side.
The first score in the second half was going to be crucial and to their credit Young Munsters piled on the pressure for 25 minutes. They were undone by a mazy run out of defence by full back Darcy who seemed to slither away from contact until he found Lett who scored behind the posts. Munsters got in for one on 75 minutes but as the clock wound down a long pass was intercepted by Darcy and he transferred to McGrath who powered over for the final try and a 35 10 victory for Clontarf..
There was some debate in the bar later among the drunk and disorderlies about whether Matt could have gone himself rather than passing. Perhaps he could? …..maybe there isn’t that much difference between them in pace? ….. For me its all about the reaction of the defence…… The top speed of a Cheetah and a Rhinoceros is approximately the same …… But which one would you like to tackle after 79 minutes in a game that is already gone? …….. Give the ball to the Rhino …Try Clontarf.