Clontarf drop off top spot after defeat

Clontarf 8 Blackrock College 13

Clontarf lost their grip on the AIB League Division One top spot as scrum-half Philip Caldwell's first-half try saw Blackrock run out 13-8 winners at Castle Avenue.

'Tarf are third, having been leapfrogged by both Shannon and Garryowen, on an afternoon when nothing went right for them.

They trailed 13-5 at the break, as Caldwell's incisive break and a conversion and two penalties from Conor Kilroy gave the visitors an early leg-up.

'Tarf's efforts came from a deflected Donovan Rossi kick, and Dave Hewitt - starting at number 10 in place of Dave McAllister - reacted quickest to reach the touch down.

Try as they might though, Phil Werahiko's side surrendered their two-game unbeaten run at the north Dublin venue, despite scoring the only points of the second half from the boot of Darragh O'Shea.

Scorers: Clontarf: Try: David Hewitt; Pen Darragh O'Shea

Blackrock: Try: Philip Caldwell; Con: Conor Kilroy; Pens: Kilroy 2