Clontarf get better of Dolphin with nine-point win
Clontarf 32 Dolphin 23, Castle Avenue
Hooker Turlough Considine helped himself to a brace of tries as Clontarf maintained their Division 1 title push in second place.
The north Dubliners got the better of Dolphin at Castle Avenue, gaining a slice of revenge for their 9-3 defeat to the same opposition down in Cork last month.
‘Tarf’s firepower was too much for Dolphin, particularly in the first half when they opened up a decisive 22-11 advantage.
Experienced full-back Richie Lane converted three of the hosts’ four tries and added two penalties, taking his tally for the Ulster Bank League campaign to 106 points.
Michael McGrath, playing in the centre alongside Leinster ‘A’ player Collie O’Shea, and pack powerhouse Simon Crawford also touched down for ‘Tarf.
Dolphin got back into losing bonus point territory with a penalty try and two well-taken efforts from influential number 8 Ryan Murphy, but Clontarf’s attacking prowess was too much for them.
The result leaves Andy Wood’s men trailing leaders St. Mary’s College by just two points, with a trip to out-of-sorts defending champions Old Belvedere next up for them.
Scorers: Clontarf: Tries: Turlough Considine 2, Michael McGrath, Simon Crawford; Cons: Richie Lane 3; Pens: Richie Lane 2
Dolphin:Tries: Ryan Murphy 2, Penalty try; Con: Barry Keeshan; Pens: Barry Keeshan 2
HT: Clontarf 22 Dolphin 11
