Sport

Reddan drop goal gives Clontarf 10 on the trot

ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE: LANDSDOWNE - 19 CLONTARF - 21: Alan Reddans drop goal, five minutes into injury-time, completed a remarkable…

Mon Jan 14 2002 - 00:00

ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE: LANDSDOWNE - 19 CLONTARF - 21:Alan Reddans drop goal, five minutes into injury-time, completed a remarkable comeback by a Clontarf side that has now constructed a 10-game unbeaten run, in league and cup. Lansdowne were the latest to feel their power at headquarters on Saturday.

The home side dominated possession and made intelligent use of it. Outhalf Brian O'Mahony was not slow to punish any indiscretions by Clontarf. Two penalties in the 23rd and 26th minutes made it 6-0, until Dave O'Brien's kick left it 6-3 at the break.

Another O'Mahony penalty kept Lansdowne ticking along, and it got even better for them in the 49th minute when Fiachra Baynes's electrifying pace was too much for the visitors' defence. With O'Mahony's fourth penalty in the 53rd minute, Clontarf's goose looked cooked.

An O'Brien penalty started the resurgence, though replacement blindside Dave Moore must take many of the plaudits. His dynamic, direct surges revitalised Clontarf. Both of their tries, from centre James Downey and scrumhalf Mike Walls, were products of their forwards' relentless continuity. Full back O'Brien converted Walls' effort in injury-time.

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Then Reddan stood calm behind his pack to strike the final blow.

SCORING SEQUENCE: 23 mins B O'Mahony pen 3-0; 26: O'Mahony pen 6-0; 37: D O'Brien pen 6-3 h-t; 42: O'Mahony pen 9-3; 49: F Baynes try, O'Mahony con 16-3; 53: O'Mahony pen 19-3; 57: O'Brien pen 19-6; 71: J Downey try 19-11; 80: M Walls try, O'Brien con 19-18; 85: A Reddan drop goal 19-21.

LANSDOWNE: B Doherty; R Dolan, B Geraghty, K Kennedy, F Baynes; B O'Mahony, S Whelan; C McMahon, A Ronan, E Bohan, B Cusack, G Quinn, S Rooney, C Pratt, S O'Connor. Replacements: S Cooney for Kennedy (49 mins); D O'Mahony for Whelan (70 mins); J O'Donovan for O'Connor (74 mins); O Ennis for Pratt (80 mins).

CLONTARF: D O'Brien; D Higgins, A Reddan, J Downey, O Winchester; M Woods, M Walls; W O'Kelly, M Kennedy, A Clarke, D Sheehan, A Wood, A Dignam, D Quinn, B Gissing. Replacements: D Moore for Dignam (48 mins); P Ryan for Woods (51 mins).

Referee: D Woods (Leinster Branch)