If winning at the death is the sign of a good team, how do you describe Cork Constitution, who have done it four times in-a-row? Lucky, certainly, but their spirit must also be commended.
On Saturday, they came away from Castle Avenue with a 29-26 victory that was only achieved in the eighth minute of injury time when centre Jean-Vincent Igarza got over the Clontarf goal-line.
The north Dublin club now join the list of Blackrock, Carlow and St Mary's who have been pipped at the post by the league leaders.
Clontarf can at least take consolation from the two bonus points they picked up by scoring four tries, Niall O'Brien claimed two, and finishing within seven points of their victors.
In Saturday's other main event, Buccaneers won the battle between third and fourth place in the table thanks to tries from Shane Stephens and Chris Keane. Ballymena's Andy Maxwell made them sweat, though, as his late try ensured the contest went right to the wire.
Belfast Harlequins moved into the fourth play-off spot after a 33-16 victory away to Dolphin. Winger Willem Slabbert continued to enhance his reputation when he crossed for one of his side's four tries.
Blackrock turned around a 13-point deficit to beat Dungannon 27-16 at Stradbrook thanks to second-half tries from Emmett Farrell, Conor Kilroy and Mike Price Jnr.
The victory keeps Blackrock's play-off hopes alive, while at the same time leaves the Ulster men glancing over their shoulders at the relegation battle.
At Dooradoyle, Garryowen recovered from last week's thrashing from Belfast Harlequins by putting UCD to the sword, on a 22-18 scoreline.
The result killed off any lingering hopes the students might have had regarding the play-offs but it does move Garryowen into the safety of mid-table.
Co Carlow also produced a comeback to secure a 24-all draw with Lansdowne at Oakpark, the midlands side finally ending their five-game losing streak.
The league resumes in two weeks' time, with Cork Constitution hoping to make it six victories on the trot when they travel to play defending champions Ballymena.
Elsewhere, St Mary's and Lansdowne will be slugging it out in a relegation battle at IRFU headquarters.
