Clontarf edge out Dolphin

Clontarf 20 Dolphin 12

Clontarf edged themselves back into the play-off picture this afternoon by coming from behind to beat on-form Dolphin at Castle Avenue.

The north Dubliners trailed by 12-8 after four well-struck penalties from Dolphin number 10 Barry Keeshan.

‘Tarf notched a breakaway try through winger Philip Howard in the first half but Keeshan’s place-kicking had the visitors 9-8 ahead at the break.

In a forwards-dominated game, ‘Tarf turned the screw in the second half with tries from winger Max Rantz-McDonald and out-half Ian Keatley.

Dolphin, despite missing the Munster-tied James Coughlan, foraged well in the opening quarter and led 6-3 midway through the half thanks to a penalty brace from the league's top scorer Keeshan.

The proceedings were scrappy and not helped by the inclement weather and while both packs slugged it out for long periods, both Keatley and Keeshan did their best to get their back-lines moving when required.

The Corkmen paid the price for some sloppy passing when 'Tarf launched a stirring counter attack which led to Howard sprinting over in the left corner. Keatley's conversion was wide of the mark and in the dying minutes of the half, a 30-metre kick from Keeshan edged the visitors back in front at 9-8.

Having won the toss and elected to play against the wind, 'Tarf used the elements to gradually come out on top in the second half. Keeshan landed his fourth penalty of the afternoon, from close to the 22, but with players like Cian Healy, Martin Garvey and Chris Elvin to the fore, the hosts came good.

The 'Tarf pack did the hard work in the lead-up to Rantz-McDonald's unconverted try, with the winger scooting over after two quick passes out to the right. It was McDonald's third try since the league's start in October.

At 13-12 it was anyone's game but 'Tarf came with another surge and although it was far from pretty, the pack again laid the platform for Keatley to grab the clinching try.

Scorers: Clontarf: Tries: Philip Howard, Max Rantz-McDonald, Ian Keatley; Con: Ian Keatley; Pen: Ian Keatley

Dolphin: Pens: Barry Keeshan 4