Rampant UCD shock Clontarf
RUGBY: An outstanding display of attacking rugby helped UCD to pull off a shock 39-33 triumph over a much-fancied Clontarf at Belfield in Division 1A of the AIL.
A Barry Daly try gave UCD the lead before David Joyce replied with a penalty. A brace of Niall Earls place-kicks then put UCD 10-3 ahead. Timothy McCoy touched down for Clontarf, before UCD added converted tries by centres Shane O’Meara and Stephen Murphy to build up a 27-13 interval cushion.
Joyce reduced the deficit courtesy of a 55th-minute three-pointer, but a seven-point Earls salvo, and a superb touchdown by James Murray, provided the Students with an insurmountable advantage inside the final-quarter.
However, thanks to a late fightback propelled by tries from Michael McGrath and replacement Cathal O’Flynn, the league leaders emerged with a pivotal losing bonus point and maintain a slender advantage over Old Belvedere at the top of the table.