Clontarf earn draw at Buccaneers

Buccaneers 12 Clontarf 12

Play-off chasing Buccaneers looked on course for a 2004 Dublin double of sorts this afternoon at a wind swept Moher Road, leading 12-0 on the hour but a brace of tries from Clontarf full back Niall O’Brien and a last minute conversion handed the visitors a 12-12 draw.

Buccs’ seventh consecutive win and fourth at home looked assured but some poor play reminiscent of that which saw them gift Co Carlow 14 points before Christmas in their 20-14 defeat of the Oak park side, allowed Phil Werahiko’s side claim a 12-12 draw.

Young out-half David Connellan hit over three first half penalties on 8, 25 and 33 minutes to put Buccs into a 9-0 half-time lead.

A fourth for Connellan on 53 minutes from a right-sided position outside the 22’, should have sown up the win but O’Brien took a lovely line to power over on 67 minutes for the game’s opening try.

The conversion proved beyond the returning David McAllister but he importantly had his kicking boots on in injury time, as with the scores at 12-10 in Buccs’ favour, he converted O’Brien’s fourth of the campaign to tie the game up.

Buccaneers remain in third, seven points behind leaders Con, with Clontarf in sixth place.

Scorers: Buccaneers: Pen: David Connellan 4

Clontarf: Tries: Niall O’Brien 2; Con: David McAllister