We have now entered the twilight zone of the season. The Yeatsian “Half light”, where the end of the league phase of the season is in view, but not yet clear enough to confirm final placings. A mistake now could be fatal to hopes of progression or indeed, in the case of UCD, hopes of avoiding the dreaded relegation playoffs.
Not surprising then, that this game was like acne. As in, it broke out in spots. For most of the time it was a grim affair, racked with errors and dominated by defence. Big moments were as rare as unscratched nuts on a soccer player.
Compounding the tension was a breakdown in the Clontarf lineout, which consistently gifted UCD ball and put the home side into defensive mode for most of the half. Grist to the mill for Dylan Donnellan, Aaron Coleman and Charlie Ward who had their own little competition on jackal turnovers. In general, the Tarf defensive sets were outstanding and forced UCD across the pitch, in vain effort to get around the Tarf backline. The opening score went to Con Kelly after 15 for 3 0.
With 10 minutes to halftime, we got some Hollywood from Ben Griffin, who after a huge defensive phase by Tarf, snapped up a loose ball on the edge of the 22 and set off on one of those slow motion mazy runs that props are famous for. Like a bear in the bakery, a dummy here , a bounce off there and an outrageous flip to the supporting Cal Smith who found Stevie Ryan in support.
As we approached half time, Clontarf finally managed to work field position in the opposition 22 and showed what they can do when the lineout works. As the ensuing maul marched forward, the UCD blindside winger got sucked into the fray and Dylan Donnellan broke blind into space and went in untouched for 8 0 at HT.
2 minutes into the second half UCD got their reward for their efforts after a solid lineout saw the ball moved right and their left winger Walsh got in after a sniff of interference by their dummy runners.
That was the most the visitors could manage although they were unlucky to be denied by a knock on at the line which would have given them the lead. They were pinged again almost immediately for rolling, when a score was almost certain at the next phase.
Having ridden out the visitors purple patch Clontarf got back to the business of messing up the lineout and racking up the tackle count. For all their possession, UCD could not overcome the home defence.
Time and again they came in blue waves but smashed themselves on the blue and red rocks. After 23 minutes a slap down in the away 22 saw a yellow for UCD, a Tarf lineout in the corner and a maul that trotted over for the killer score. Con Kelly converted from the sideline and 15 5.
That was that. The game resumed its stop start shape and Tarf wore UCD down with the clock until Con Kelly landed a final penalty at full time for 18 5.
Two games to go and a trip to Dooradoyle to a stricken Garryowen. It would be a cardinal error to assume that Garryowen will be anything less than full-on defiant despite their current plight. Those of us who have been around a while will remember that it was an already relegated Garryowen, playing against title chasing favourites Old Belvedere, who pulled out all the stops and in beating their visitors opened the door to Clontarf to take their first AIL title by overcoming Ballynahinch in Castle Avenue.
Garryowen deserve our respect.
