Clontarf play it tight to book place in decider

Three penalties from Matt D’Arcy proved decisive at Lakelands Park on Saturday afternoon, when champions Clontarf booked their place in the Ulster Bank League Division 1A decider at the expense of Terenure College.

The Shannon team of 2005/06 were the last side to successfully defend their AIL title, but with a May 9 showdown against Lansdowne on the horizon, Clontarf will have an opportunity to secure back-to-back league triumphs for the first time in their history. Andy Wood’s charges had suffered a setback in the build-up to this contest, as regular place-kicker David Joyce was ruled out with a shoulder injury. Evan Ryan was the preferred choice alongside captain Sam Cronin at half-back, but it was left to inside centre Matt D’Arcy to assume kicking duties.

He was marginally off-target just two minutes into the game and missed again eight minutes later with a 35m effort.