Apologies but I didn’t attend the game in Armagh so my match report will be a fictional interpretation of the days WhatsApp updates. I attended the Past President’s dinner on Friday night which is always a stimulating evening in so many ways. Suffice to say that the world would be a more efficient and happier place if it was run by a group of drunken old men in dinner suits. Which, if you think about it, was how the British Empire was run for about 150 years.
So on Saturday, I stayed at home grimly watching Ireland trying to lose to Wales, while my head worked hard to put discipline and structure on the rest of my bodily functions.
Clontarf travelled to Armagh, welcoming the return of Noah Sheridan after a long road to recovery, in the knowledge that the home team were coming off a superb victory against Terenure the previous weekend. While that would give pause for thought, what was also mindful was the need to add accuracy to the physicality Tarf had shown against Cork Con, where we dominated territory in the first half only to butcher multiple red zone opportunities.
Thankfully Tarf got the start right and despite turning over the ball in the home 22, managed to re grab it courtesy of Con Kelly, and Dylan Donellan forced his way over for 0 7 after 4 minutes. That settled Tarf into a dominant mood and Con Kelly landed two penalties as the home side were bullied into constant infringement.
Half time score was 0 13 and a pattern of set piece pressure had been set.
The second half was barely on when Tarf scored a beauty.
Tarf kicked off and Armagh returned the kick to the half way for a lineout. Fionn Gilbert took it off the top and two phases later was in the line to give a lovely feed to Aaron Coleman whose reverse pass to Sam Owens had the defence flat footed. From there fast hands right to left put Tadgh Bird in, untouched by the posts for 0 20.
That was too big a task for Armagh to recover. I have some sympathy for their pack who earned some field position but had a horrendous day in the lineout which wasn’t helped by being monstered in the scrum as well. In the end, Tarf power was all encompassing and the visitors added 3 more close in scores from the pick and grunt brigade, for the big win. Final score was 7 41 and a bonus point victory which leaves Tarf 4 points clear in 1st place with 4 games to play.
Next up is Terenure away, where the challenge will be a sterner one.
Thanks to our Jersey Sponsors, to Michael Sheridan for the photos and to Peter Walsh for the words.