Clontarf finally get over the line

It was Clontarf’s first national trophy, but Evan Ryan’s third All Ireland League medal as the north county Dublin side finally passed the winning post after twice in recent years losing out on titles in the run-in.

Clontarf’s 27-13 win over Ballynahinch at Castle Avenue was achieved with a brace of tries from replacement scrum-half Peter du Toit in the closing minutes.

It was a triumphant afternoon for former Cork Con centre Ryan who won medals with the Temple Hill side in 2008 and 2010, captaining the side to an unique All Ireland League and Cup double in that second season.

Another Munster player, former UCC scrum-half Sam Cronin, also played a significant role in Clontarf’s inaugural title run, but both had to sweat it out as they watched the closing moments of the televised game between Garryowen and Old Belvedere, the Limerick side hanging on for a 23-18 win.

Had Old Belvedere struck with a late converted try, the title would instead have gone to Anglesea Road.

The Andy Wood coached Clontarf side had to display considerable mental strength to overcome the stern challenge posed by battling Ballynahinch, who at one stage of the second half had fought back to tie 13-13.

Had Clontarf lost their bid to take the title, they would have had only themselves to blame, losing a significant chance to stay in pole position through consecutive recent defeats to UCD and Lansdowne.

Ballynahinch were giving it everything in a bid to avoid a relegation play-off. Richie Lobb kicked them into the lead before Michael McGrath and David Joyce combined with a try and conversion to give Clontarf a 7-3 lead. Joyce added two penalties to one from Lobb for a 13-6 interval lead but a determined Ballynahinch grabbed a try from Aaron Cairns that Lobb converted and it was all to play for.

McGrath has been Clontarf’s biggest source of tries this season but it was du Toit who proved the hero with a stunning contribution in the closing quarter.

The former Ireland U20 player grabbed a try 12 minutes from time and another in the 80th minute, Joyce converting both to secure the title for the first time.

Both Dolphin and Young Munster have reason to be grateful to Clontarf, as a Ballynahinch win, would have placed them in danger of that relegation play-off battle instead.

Both lost their respective fixtures, Dolphin to Lansdowne and Young Munster to UCD. In the other match of the day Cork Con and St Mary’s played out a high scoring 30-30 draw.

In Division 1B, Terenure completed the perfect season with their 18th straight win, this time a 36-29 win over Buccaneers.

Highfield lost their Division 2A status when beaten 10-14 at home by Thomond in a play-off.