RUGBY
Athy’s Carbery catches the eye in Clontarf’s win
By Daire Walsh
THERE was a strong Kildare representation in the Ulster Bank League Division 1A semi-final at Castle Avenue on Saturday afternoon, as Clontarf booked their place in the All-Ireland League decider for a second year in succession with a deserved 24-10 victory over UCD.
Under the watchful eye of Leinster head coach Leo Cullen, ‘Tarf welcomed the Students to the north Dublin venue for the second time in seven days – following their meeting in the final round of the top-tier’s regular season on April 16.
Andy Wood’s hosts had finished at the summit of the table, and as a result, they faced fourth-place UCD at the penultimate stage. The Belfield outfit are coached by former Clongowes Wood College supremo Noel McNamara, and for their 19th league encounter of 2015/16, he selected Kildare duo Billy Dardis (Naas) and Adam Byrne (Kill) in his back-three alongside the ever-influential Barry Daly.
Jeremy Loughman was also included in a powerful UCD front-row, while on the Clontarf side, his fellow Athy compatriot – Joey Carbery – featured in the out-half position. Loughman and Carbery had played together in Blackrock College at schools rugby level, while the latter was also previously a member of UCD.
He has blossomed since making the switch across the Liffey, however, and he made a vital contribution for the home team in this fixture. Having secured the Ulster Bank League crown as recently as 2014, ‘Tarf were favourites to progress from this tie – and they broke the deadlock with just eight minutes gone on the clock.
An extended move on the right-hand side was finished off by hooker Bryan Byrne, and although Carbery was off-target from a tricky conversion attempt, another five-pointer followed just three minutes later courtesy of all-action winger Mick McGrath.
UCD eventually opened their account with a 16th-minute penalty by Ross Byrne, and ‘Tarf did suffer a set-back when full-back Rob Keogh was forced out of the action through injury. Carbery proved to be an able deputy at No 15, though, and in the spite of the best efforts from the lively Adam Byrne, ‘Tarf brought a 10-3 cushion into the second period.
UCD were certainly prominent in possession throughout the proceedings, but even though their industry couldn’t be questioned, they were finding it hard to break down the stern ‘Tarf rearguard. Indeed, a third try ultimately arrived for the hosts through Michael Noone in the 58th-minute, and thanks to a superb Carbery conversion, they had created even further daylight between the teams.
Loughman had departed the field because of injury just two minutes after the restart, but UCD did receive a lifeline in the shape of a Daly touchdown just beyond the hour mark. This set-up a potentially nerve-jangling conclusion to the play, but after Evan Ryan raced under the posts in stoppage-time, Clontarf emerged victorious with 14 points to spare.
‘Tarf will now meet Cork Constitution in the Ulster Bank League showpiece at the Aviva Stadium on 8 May, after the Temple Hill men edged a Munster derby with Young Munster (22-15) on the same day.