Dunne delivers for Mary’s after battle with Clontarf
Clontarf………………………………. 17
St Mary’s College………………… 19
By Daire Walsh
Ulster Bank League
Fourteen points from the boot of full-back Gavin Dunne proved decisive at Castle Avenue last night, as St Mary’s College recorded their fourth victory of the campaign at the end of a hard-fought Ulster Bank League Division 1A encounter with Clontarf.
Michael McGrath had given ‘Tarf a good start when he scored a try after 21 minutes following excellent approach play by Noel Reid, but the Templeogue outfit finished the half strongly, as a third penalty from Dunne, as well as a converted try from Gerry Sexton (brother of France-bound Irish star Jonathan) gave the reigning champions a 16-8 cushion at the interval.
This lead was reduced just eight mintues after the resumption following a penalty from Reid, and the Leinster ‘A’ star was also on target on 66 minutes, leaving just two points between the sides.
Mary’s displayed excellent character late on, though, and Dunne’s fourth penalty of the evening was enough to give them over the line, despite Reid firing over a 77th minute penalty, and out-half Darragh Fitzpatrick twice going close with drop-goal attempts in stoppage time.
Scorers for Clontarf: N Reid 4 pens, M McGrath try.
Scorers for St Mary’s College: G Dunne 4 pens, 1 con, G Sexton try.
CLONTARF: N Reid; M McGrath, K Lett, E Ryan, T McCoy; D Fitzpatrick, D O’Meara; B Barclay, C O’Flynn, R Burke-Flynn, B Reilly, M Flanagan, C O’Keeffe, A D’Arcy, M Garvey. Replacements: S Cronin for O’Meara (44), S Crawford for Flanagan (53), T Furlong for Burke-Flynn (53), J Larbey for O’Flynn (71).
ST MARY’S COLLEGE: G Dunne; D Hudson, M O’Driscoll, R Hudson, D Fanning; P Brophy, M D’Arcy; C McMahon, D Fawcett, Rob Sweeney, S Bradshaw, G Sexton, C Ruddock, G Austin, D Keller.
Replacements: A Lyons for McMahon (57), M Fallon for Bradshaw (57), Bradshaw for Sexton (70), A Burke for O’Driscoll (71), McMahon for Sweeney (72), C Hogan for Hudson (81).
Referee: M Patton (IRFU).