Clontarf Worthy Winners in a Tough Finish to a Great Season

As one of the Lansdowne greats said on leaving Castle Avenue on Saturday, “Well, at least it wasn’t close!”  He didn’t mean any disrespect to the excellent and brave performance of our lads, but that we were spared the heartbreak of recent years’ semifinals and the agonies of what might have been. Clontarf were comprehensive and worthy winners.

The torrential rain cleared just minutes before kick-off and though blustery, the conditions were perfect for a game.  From the first drop out, both sides showed some big match nerves, first us with a knock on in the first catch, a messy scrum and a kick out on the full. And then they missed an eminently kickable penalty, their prolific outhalf, Conor Kelly with his few misses of the day.

But ten minutes in, we all settled down and the quality started. Our attack was patient and deliberate with Stephen Madigan stewarding the play left and right, then unexpectedly, he chips over their centres but in spite of the groans of Lansdowne supporters Harry O’Riordain charges through and gathers the ball, carrying well into their 22 and setting us up for our first serious attack. We get a kickable penalty and opt for the corner, a positive move, but for the first of many set pieces, Clontarf frustrate our efforts and steal it, exiting their danger zone. Our attack resumes, but there’s a caution there and soon ‘Tarf turn over and counter back into our half. Their first serious visit and they plant a flag with a score in the corner. A defensive glitch in the centre and they slice through the gap and their lock Fionn Gilbert touches down. After his miss under the posts, we have high hopes that Kelly will miss this near impossible conversion into the wind from the touchline. No such luck. 7 – 0

Our dominance of possession and territory resume but for extended periods we get no dividend. A worrying sign, perhaps. But finally our patience is rewarded. Subbing early for an injured captain Andy Marks, Charlie Tector makes an impact with a great line break from a long line out and in the quick maul that follows, Juan Beukes goes over in the corner. Not to be outdone by his opposite number, Mads strikes it beautifully too 7 – 7. This is more like it. We continue our pressure, but Tarf always look dangerous on the counter, one such interception and chip through nearly netting them a try but for excellent cover and strength again from Harry O’Riordain to get us away from under our own posts.  Soon we were back in their heartland and it was time for our hooker Bobby Sheehan to do his magic. An excellent lineout in the swirling wind and a maul sees him carry it over and our noses are in front, extended further with another excellent conversion by Stephen. 7 – 14.

But if the cup holders were in the least bit worried, they didn’t show it. Indeed, there was a great carnival atmosphere all over the ground as children played on the all-weather pitch and local supporters were full of friendly banter. Another Lansdowne great wondered out loud, “Why are they so cheerful and relaxed? They’re losing!” 

They were right not to be worried.  Their pressure now built up and forced us into a yellow card. Our set up was further disrupted by more blood injuries and early substitutions and the hosts took full advantage with a well worked try in the corner, that menace Kelly slotting over the extras again 14 – 14. 

Five minutes to go in the half but they hadn’t finished their surge. A loose pass is seized on by their winger Peter Maher who shows supernatural speed to find space and offload to inside centre Hugh Cooney. The touchline poses no problem for Kelly again and they go into the halftime break 21 – 14 ahead with a supporting wind to look forward to.

The mid-term break didn’t take any edge off the hosts and before long they had us pinned back on our heels again, only strong and disciplined defence keeping them at bay.  But it was an adventurous and risky kick from Kelly to sub winger Dan Magner that got the score board moving again, Kelly sprinkling more misery on us with yet another ridiculously good conversion from the corner. 28 – 14. And then more with a penalty 31 – 14. Ouch.

None of this diminished the energy and volume of support from the Lansdowne travellers. Clearly more worried than the hosts, we still gave noisy, colourful and positive support, remarked on by many of the irritatingly cheerful Clontarf supporters.

Kelly continued his command of the pitch, pegging us back on our heels whenever he felt his pack needed cheering up. Which must have been rarely, because they too were in full control of their sphere of influence. Now we have to take chances and though our promising attack is snuffed out by excellent defence, we find ourselves back in our half conceding a scrum penalty. Eminently kickable, but opting to turn the screw further, they kick in the corner and enjoy their first lineout maul try of the day, their talisman captain (and one of the leading try scorers of the league) Dylan Donnellan doing his party piece. The only consolation was that for once Kelly missed the conversion, to an ironic cheer from the Lansdowne contingent, and no more than a cheerful shrug of the shoulders from those grinning locals. 36 - 14

Now with only ten minutes and change left in the game, Clontarf start to slow things down, taking less risks, but still manage another penalty 39 – 14. Of course, you could say it’s because they had the game won, but we’ve seen this group of Lansdowne players finish like giants to believe what followed was more than just consolation. We still played for the win. 

First it was veteran war horse Barry Fitzpatrick who breathed life into supporterts’ and team mates’ hopes with a brilliantly taken try after a magnificent line carry. Mads converts 39-21. Then their prop gets a yellow and with our bench emptied we throw everything at them. Sub scrum half James Kenny is relentless in his attacks and one eventually leads to another offload and a great carry from Juan Beukes for his second. 39 – 28, could it be?

Realistically, the game was out of reach in those closing minutes, but you wouldn’t think it to watch our men continue to fight like terriers. Every last one on the pitch, supported by those bloodied and bruised on the sideline, fought tooth and nail right to the very end in a display that would fill your heart with pride. They may have lost the game, but they showed such quality and character to the bitter end that every man, woman and child that ever wore a Lansdowne jersey should be justly proud.

To Dec, Rhys and the whole coaching and management team and the dozens and dozens of players, including the J1s who shored up the team over the season, well done. And thank you from the whole club. You did us proud.

A very huge and sincere thanks to our intrepid reporter Brian Whelan who we hope will continue to provide these reports into 2026/27!

Equal gratitude to Michael O'Brien our indomitable match photographer who has too many years of service to mention!

You can see the match photos HERE