Clontarf pack pave way for Con job

CLONTARF qualified for the All Ireland League Top Four final at Castle Avenue on Saturday with a well-deserved victory over Cork Constitution.

Con coach Brian Walsh admitted the better side won: “We were competitive but not competitive enough. They’re a good side and they took their opportunities.”

Clontarf have every reason to be pleased, although they will hardly relish the challenge Shannon will present in the decider next week. Word from Clontarf is that they would have preferred to meet Garryowen, who lost the second semi-final in the dying seconds of a classic all-Limerick encounter at Dooradoyle.

However, Clontarf can bask in the glory of beating a former championship winning side, and beating them well. Inspired by captain Johnny Wickham, Rob Sweeney, Jake Ellison and Dave O’Brien, the pack inflicted damage on their Constitution rivals; accordingly, Constitution never functioned as well behind the scrum as they can.

Clontarf won the toss, backed themselves to play against the elements, and came out smelling of roses.

All too often, Constitution attempted to put distance before accuracy and lost out. Instead of playing the game in Clontarf’s half of the pitch, they were often playing in their own sector.

Darragh O’Shea, Marc Hewitt and Fiach O’Loughlin menaced Constitution and two ‘Tarf counter-attacks paid rich dividends.

Constitution had to be happy with penalties from Dara Lyons, while Clontarf enjoyed the benefit of a 12-6 interval lead after scoring two excellent tries.

Alan Trenier did the donkey work for the first, and O’Loughlin touched down; Trenier’s second row partner Andy Wood helped set up the second try, scored by winger Niall O’Brien. Full back O’Shea brilliantly converted from the right hand touchline.

However, O’Shea’s second half penalty misses meant Constitution were able to hang in, and for 20 minutes of the second half held out slim hopes of getting back into the game.

Those hopes were dashed when a promising move broke down on half way. O’Brien took advantage and streaked up the touchline before going over under the posts for a try that O’Shea converted.

The full back missed another penalty seven minutes from the end, but by then, the win was never in doubt and they embellished the lead with their fourth try two minutes from the end.

Again, it was scored by O’Brien who was able to saunter home to give O’Shea another easy conversion attempt. It was no more than the winger and his side deserved.

CLONTARF: D. O’Shea, N. O’Brien, M. Hewitt, J. Downey, D. Keane, P. O’Brien, F. O’Loughlin, J. Wickham (captain), N. Carson, R. Sweeney, A. Trenier, A. Wood, D. Quinn, D. O’Brien, J. Ellison. Replacements. K. Dorian for Wickham (67), M. Woods for O’Brien, P. Whatley for Carson, D. French for Trenier (all 79).

CORK CONSTITUTION: R. Lane, D. O’Riordan, T. Gleeson, C. Quaid, C. Healy, D. Lyons, F. Murphy, T. Ryan, D. Murray, M. Ross, S. Cottrell, J. Moloney, M. O’Connor, B. Cuttriss, F. Cogan (captain). Replacements. R. O’Donovan for Lyons (66), A. Ryan for O’Riordan (injured, 70), L. Hill for Cottrell (71), E. Leamy for Cogan (81).

Referee: D. Courtney (IRFU).