Garryowen slip after defeat to Clontarf

Garryowen 8 Clontarf 19

Champions Garryowen slipped from fourth to seventh in the Division One table after Clontarf outplayed them in this 19-8 win at Dooradoyle.

'Tarf gained revenge for last season's semi-final defeat to Garryowen as Leinster prop Cian Healy and lock John Duffy helped themselves to tries.

Healy crossed in the second-minute to strike an early blow for the visitors who led 11-3 at half-time.

Duffy's try and Ian Keatley's third penalty of the afternoon left Garryowen trailing by 16 points before Munster winger Keith Earls grabbed a late try.

Garryowen have stuttered of late in the AIB League. This is their second defeat in four league games and next weekend's visit of Dungannon to Dooradoyle is a real must-win game for Dara Ryan's outfit.

The title holders are eight points off their arch rivals and current table-toppers Shannon.

After two recent defeats, Clontarf looked to be struggling but this success - the club's second consecutive league win at Dooradoyle after their victory there in January 2006 - has them back up in sixth place, three points off a play-off spot.

Garryowen played a part in their own downfall as a mistake by their out-half Alan Kingsley led to 'Tarf's opening try. The Dubliners pressed and put the rampaging Healy, who was used as a replacement against Munster last night, over for a sucker-punch try.

Ian Keatley, who, like Healy, was part of last season's Grand Slam-winning Ireland Under-20 team, missed the conversion but he added a seventh-minute penalty which Garryowen full-back Conor Kilroy soon cancelled out.

Kilroy's kick proved to be Garryowen's only points until Earls' late try as the heavier Clontarf pack managed to dominate up front and provide half-backs Keatley and Paul O'Donohoe with a solid platform of possession.

Keatley knocked over his second penalty for an 11-3 interval lead for the visitors and he repeated the trick early in the second half.

Then came one of the game's most pivotal moments when 'Tarf picked off a turnover near halfway and launched a thrilling counter attack towards the clubhouse end through O'Donohoe.

The ball was switched to winger Max Rantz-McDonald who made good yardage before lock John Duffy managed to barrel over from close range and put his side 19-3 in front.

Garryowen tried manfully to mount a comeback and brought on Declan Lavery, Frank McKenna and Anthony Kavanagh to try and make some difference up front.

The hosts did muster a late try when Kilroy spotted plenty of space on the blindside and his spiralled a kick into the air for Earls to catch to dot down. But with the conversion attempt sailing wide, any thoughts of a push for a losing bonus point quickly evaporated.

Scorers:

Garryowen: Try: Keith Earls; Pen: Conor Kilroy

Clontarf: Tries: Cian Healy, John Duffy; Pens: Ian Keatley 3