Clontarf ease into their groove with a convincing victory over Garryowen

Clontarf 33 (Tries: D Joyce, M Mc Grath, R. Burke-Flynn, B Byrne, M Kearney. Cons: D. Joyce 4)
Garryowen 3 (Pen J Gavin)

Clontarf bounced back from a disappointing opening Ulster Bank Division One A defeat with a comprehensive five-try demolition of Garryowen at Castle Avenue on Saturday.

Having let a 15-pt lead slip against Old Belvedere, it was essential Clontarf improved in a number of areas. They did so in some style against an admittedly very poor Garryowen outfit.

Garryowen fell away alarmingly after starting the game well. They led 3-0 with a penalty from outhalf Jamie Gavin but the same player then missed a much easier chance to extend their advantage.

One team
Once Clontarf found their feet there was only one team in it. David Joyce, one of three former Dublin University players in their ranks, played a major role when going over for their first try. The outhalf missed that conversion but he did add the extra points to a fine individual try from wing Michael McGrath on the stroke of half time.

The second half proved totally one-sided with prop Royce Burke-Flynn and substitutes Bryan Byrne and Michael Kearney crossing for further Clontarf tries. To add to Garryowen’s discomfort, Joyce kicked all three conversions to finish with a personal tally of 13 points. Garryowen had influential flanker Barry O’Mahony, a former Clontarf player, yellow carded in the final quarter.

Garryowen, last season’s runners up, now find themselves bottom of the table following two straight defeats.

Clontarf are in a much more encouraging situation. They appear to have recruited well with full-back Max McFarland and substitute scrum-half Peter Du Toit both caught the eye.

“This was a great way to respond after what happened against Old Belvedere,” stressed coach Andy Wood.

“I’m delighted with the quality of the performance of a lot of individuals. The new lads showed up well and importantly Karl Moran in the back-row did a good job up against Barry O’Mahony. Overall, it was very encouraging.”

Garryowen coach Tom Tierney said: "We started well in the first 15 minutes and should have been at least six points up but we then made far too many mistakes."

CLONTARF: M McFarland; M McGrath, E Ryan, K Lett, N Myron; D Joyce, S Cronin; I Hirst, C Culleton, R Burke-Flynn, B Reilly (Capt), E Browne, S Crawford, K Moran, A Ryan. Replacements used: B Byrnem M Kearney, K Donoghue, P Du Toit, K Butler.
GARRYOWEN: L Bourke; J McInerney, A Gaughan, C Doyle, R O'Mahony; J Gavin, N Cronin; R Brosnan (Capt), E Rossiter, J P Cooney, M Hanrahan, A McCloskey, M Tweedle, B O'Mahony, S Buckley. Replacements used: A O'Byrne, H McNulty, J M Griffin, P O'Shea.
Referee : M Patton.