Clonakilty take Division Three crown

Clonakilty 19 Suttonians 12

Out-half Gary Cribb kicked Clonakilty to their first AIB League Division Three title as they got the better of Suttonians for a 19-12 final win at Lansdowne Road.

Cribb kicked 14 points – three penalties, a drop goal and a conversion of lock Eoin Scannell's try to see the West Cork outfit to glory.

Clonakilty join last year's winners Greystones as being the only other club to have topped the table and won the play-off final since the Division Three play-offs came about in 2001.

Cribb missed an early shot at the posts but he right-footed over a brace of penalties on 10 and 20 minutes to stem the Clon nerves. His opposite number Paddy Maguire fell short with a 40-metre effort in between and it remained at 6-0 until four minutes before the break.

Clon failed to deal with an up-and-under and quick-witted winger Dara Mulligan raced onto the loose ball, kicking ahead and winning the race for the touch down – his fourth of the season. Maguire missed the conversion but the Dubliners were right back in it at 6-5 down.

Things got even better for the Vinny Patton-captained Sutton side when, early in the second half, full back David Walsh slalomed through for his fourth of the campaign which Maguire added the extras to.

But Clon, only in their fifth season in Division Three, had the stronger finish of the promoted pair. Scannell, such a giant in his side's semi-final defeat of Bruff last weekend, ran in behind the posts for a great reply on the hour mark.

Cribb converted and sealed an historic day for the men from the south when he notched his third penalty and held his nerve for a late 25-metre drop goal – he had missed two attempts in the previous minutes.

Scorers: Clonakilty: Try: Eoin Scannell; Con: Gary Cribb; Pens: Cribb 3; Drop: Cribb

Suttonians: Tries: Dara Mulligan, David Walsh; Con: Paddy Maguire