Bohs Impress As They Topple ‘Tarf

UL Bohemians upset table toppers Clontarf with a deserved win at Annacotty – their second in as many weeks at the venue.

AIB LEAGUE: DIVISION ONE: Saturday, January 24

UL BOHEMIANS 17 CLONTARF 13, Annacotty

Scorers: UL Bohemians: Tries: Tommy O’Donnell, Aidan McNulty, Mark Doyle; Con: Aidan McNulty

Clontarf: Tries: Niall O’Brien, Paul O’Donohoe; Pen: Daragh O’Shea

A marvellous break by Martin McPhail set up an early try for flanker Tommy O’Donnell to put the home side on their way.

Daragh O’Shea landed a penalty for ‘Tarf but it was the home side who were playing the better rugby and they deservedly increased their lead.

Out-half Aidan McNulty made the break to get in for Bohs’ second try which he also converted to make it 12-3 and suggest that a surprise might be on the cards.

But Clontarf have not been top of the table for nothing in recent weeks and they showed just why a minute from the interval when experienced winger Niall O’Brien skated over for a try to leave it 12-8 at half-time.

However, Bohs were by far the better side in the second half and they struck for a third try when winger Mark Doyle blazed over in the corner and the home side went in search of a bonus point.

They failed to do so and it was Clontarf scrum half Paul O’Donohoe who had the last say with a late try but it was not enough to stop the north Dubliners from slipping to a third straight league defeat.