15 minutes into this game the home supporters could be forgiven for fearing the worst as Clontarf struggled to get their hands on the ball and consequently seemed to be permanently defending in their own 22.
Thank fully, in a mirror image of last weeks game the slow start was a precursor to a sparkling performance which ultimately resulted in 5 tries to none in favour of Clontarf. In fact Garryowen opened the scoring with a penalty after 3 minutes and weren’t to score again in a game which saw Clontarf’s confidence grow phase by phase after the shaky start.
Clontarf opening score came after 30 minutes when Out half David Joyce got in after great work by No 8 Karl Moran. Five minutes later a slick line-out move on the left saw hooker Cian Culleton make yards around the front of a line-out, deftly place the ball before being driven into touch and three phases later Mick McGrath scored on the right. The conversion left it 12 3 at half time.
In the second half the Clontarf pack took over and more solid line-out play secured the bonus with tries to Royce Burke Flynn, Brian Byrne and Mick Kearney.
Clontarf’s next Ulster Bank League fixture is on Saturday 26th October versus Dolphin in Musgrave Park.