Clontarf overcome St Mary's test

St Mary's 21 Clontarf 25

Clontarf battled back from a 14-13 half-time deficit to earn their fourth win of the season, against Dublin rivals St Mary's this afternoon at Templeville Road.

The final score of 25-21 puts them back up to sixth in the AIB League Division One table, with an understrength Mary's side jumping up from bottom place thanks to today's bonus point.

The home side began the stronger in poor underfoot conditions, with Chris Fifield and Shane Jennings earning them first half tries, both converted by leading scorer, number 10 Barry Lynn. Incredibly they were just their fourth and fifth tries of a barren season so far, with Lynn having kicked most of their points so far this season.

'Tarf, buoyed by a 21-15 defeat of Co. Carlow last weekend, hit back with two tries of their own from Aidan Kearney and Warren O'Kelly to put them one point behind at the break.

The visitors imposed their pack on a weary Mary's outfit who have been idle the last two AIB weekends, and further tries from full back Darragh O'Shea and tricky runner Niall O'Brien cemented the bonus point win. Out-half David McAllister converted just once, to add on to a 25 metre first half penalty.