Clontarf steal win from jaws of defeat

Clontarf 21 Co. Carlow 15

(HT: Clontarf 6 Co. Carlow 12)

Co. Carlow lost their flawless record at Castle Avenue as Clontarf came from behind to defeat the visitors 21-18, and yet lose a place in the Division One table.

However, they do maintain a proud 14-game unbeaten run in the League at home.

Phil Werahiko's side slip from sixth to seventh despite their third victory of the season as Carlow remain in fifth thanks to a late penalty from captain Dan Van Zyl gifting them a bonus point.

It was an ideal start for Carlow, who lost Pat Holden in a late fitness test, as centre Maurice Logue nipped in after just three minutes for the game's first try.

Logue's third try in consecutive games saw out-half Ben Young miss left with his conversion, and Clontarf manage to hit back almost immediately with a sixth minute penalty from number 10 Dave McAllister.

Australian Young, who notched 21 points in Carlow's last League game, a 36-6 defeat of St Mary's, found a gap in the 'Tarf defence on 26 minutes to sprint over for a try, which he duly converted.

The home side looked short of ideas and McAllister's second well-hit penalty six minutes

before half time put them six points down at the interval, 12-6.

Into a stiff breeze, Carlow surrendered their lead, giving up a try to Clontarf's number 8 Dave Moore after the hour mark.

McAllister's conversion put them 13-12 in front, and a Simon O'Donnell score twelve minutes from time stretched them 21-15 in front. An injury time penalty from scrum-half Van Zyl brought Carlow within three points, but they failed to find a winning score.

Scorers: Clontarf: Tries: Moore, O'Donnell; Con: McAllister; Pen: McAllister 3

Co. Carlow: Tries: Logue, Young; Con: Young; Pen: Young, Van Zyl