Clontarf shoot to top of League with Galwegians defeat

CLONTARF went to the head of the AIB All-Ireland League Division 1 on Saturday after Galwegians surrendered a 16-3 half-time lead to them at Crowley Park.

The north Dubliners racked up a 25-16 win and also collected their fifth bonus point in nine games as Warren O'Kelly, Conor Mahony and substitutes Simon O'Donnell and Darragh O'Shea breached the home side's line.

They face second-placed Shannon on March 26 and at Oak Park, the reigning champions stuttered to a 17-7 defeat of bottom side County Carlow, with Munster hooker Jerry Flannery's 79th-minute try the difference.

Ray Ward's strugglers led 7-6 at the break thanks to a Kent Ashmore try on 15 minutes, from a five-metre lineout drive. Richie Murphy converted, but the multi-talented kicker was held at bay in the second half as the Limerick men came into their own. Veteran Andrew Thompson six times an AIL winner took over the kicking duties for the visitors due to the late withdrawal of David Delaney, and he kicked three penalties before his 84th-minute fourth cruelly robbed the midlanders of a bonus point.

Elsewhere an unlucky Dublin University slipped to their third Division One draw of the campaign, as Blackrock fought back from a 10-9 half-time deficit for a share of the spoils at Stradbrook, while at Eaton Park, Paddy Wallace was the kicking king as his two first-half penalties gifted Ballymena a 6-5 derby win over Belfast Harlequins.

Garryowen number 10 Billy Treacy was the man-of-the-hour at Stevenson Park, as they plundered a 24-21 decision.

He grabbed a late try to deny Dungannon their second straight win, after Jeremy Davidson's side had led through Gillan Carruthers' early converted try and a John McGuckin penalty.

Carruthers got a second try in the second half as the Ulster outfit claimed a second bonus point of the season.

Eoghan Hickey was back on form for UCD as they fended off the advances of last season's semi-finalists Buccaneers 29-20 at Dubarry Park.

The mercurial fly-half kicked four penalties, adding to his opening drop goal, and converted tries from James Norton and Louis Burke as John McClean's side condemned Buccs to their fourth straight defeat of 2005.

Cork Con full-back Conrad O'Sullivan also grabbed a try double at Temple Hill, as they dismissed Lansdowne 22-11.

In Division Two, UCC and Dolphin are tied at the top of the table after respective victories over Midleton and Waterpark, while St Mary's closed the gap on third place Ballynahinch with a 6-8 win away to the Ulster outfit.

A 6-12 loss at home to Barnhall leaves Highfield in last place.

In Division 3, Greystones had a fine 62-8 win away to Ballina to maintain a nine point lead over Clonakilty, who beat Wanderers 22-12 at Shannonvale.