Clontarf stay clear at the top

Clontarf 42 Blackrock College 3

Clontarf pushed five points clear at the top of the Division 1A following this runaway victory over Blackrock College under the Castle Avenue floodlights.

Frank Cogan and Killian Lett celebrated their call-ups to the Ireland Clubs squad by scoring a try apiece tonight.

Dermot O’Meara, Timmy McCoy, Simon Crawford (2) and Martin Dufficy also crossed the ‘Rock whitewash, with Andy Wood’s men now just four games away from the title.

Visitors Blackrock, who are second from bottom in the table, were 15-0 behind at the break with Cogan and promising scrum half O’Meara touching down for ‘Tarf.

O’Meara was an able deputy for regular number 9 Sam Cronin who was ruled out with a shoulder injury.

A penalty from full-back Andrew Letham got ‘Rock off the mark early in the second half, but two more tries secured the bonus point for the north Dubliners and then they ran riot.

Their power and pace on the ball was too much for Blackrock to handle despite the addition of player-coach and former Ireland and Lions back rower Eric Miller to their line-up.

Out-half Dufficy helped himself to a try, finishing with a 12-point tally, and the experienced Crawford was sprung from the bench to claim a well-taken brace.