Blackrock dent Clontarf play-off hopes

Blackrock College 17 Clontarf 16, Stradbrook

‘Shane’ was the name on everyone’s lips at Stradbrook this afternoon as Blackrock College dented Clontarf’s Division One play-off hopes.

Winger Shane Monahan grabbed two tries and former Ireland hooker Shane Byrne reeled in the years with an inspirational display as ‘Rock came from 16-0 behind.

‘Tarf had a huge wind advantage in the first half but were only 11-0 in front at half-time thanks to a Niall Carson try and two Daragh O’Shea penalties.

However, Monahan’s brace of scores – the second in the 78th-minute – saw the north Dubliners overhauled.

The results leaves Clontarf on 42 points in fourth place, a full eight points behind Garryowen in third.

If they are to feature in the semi-finals, Andy Wood’s men will need to beat Galwegians on April 19, preferably with a bonus point, and hope that Dolphin do not post wins over either St. Mary’s College or Cork Constitution.

Dolphin’s game against Mary’s was postponed today, leaving the Corkmen three points behind ‘Tarf with a game in hand.

‘Tarf’s league form on the road this season has been enviable with five wins and a defeat in their previous six away games.

But despite a solid start, during which centre O’Shea knocked over penalties after 14 and 31 minutes, the visitors created little in the way of try-scoring chances.

Hooker Niall Carson did get over in the third-minute of injury-time, after a sustained bout of forward pressure, but with that forceful wind behind them, ‘Tarf needed to be further in front.

They managed to increase their lead, eight minutes into the second half. Scrum half Paul O’Donohoe slipped through for an opportunistic try that went unconverted.

Blackrock had lost prop Kieran Maloney to a sin-binning just before the break, but restored to their full complement, the AIB Cup finalists soon reeked havoc.

The evergreen Byrne popped up everywhere as ‘Rock turned things around after the visitors had dominated possession.

Out-half Kyle Tonetti opened ‘Rock’s account with a 50th-minute penalty. Just two minutes later, a swift back-line move ended with Monahan crashing over for his first try.

Tonetti converted and he also added the extras, two minutes from time, when Boyne product Monahan, a member of last year’s Ireland Under-20 team, sliced through the Clontarf cover and raced in under the posts.

The win completes a neat double for ‘Rock who also beat Clontarf 34-17 at Stradbrook a few weeks ago in a memorable AIB Cup semi-final tie.