Could it be that the great All Black, Alex Wylie, is looking even more grizzled these days? Shouldering the burden of a two-match 84-point deluge at the hands of Terenure inside a fortnight will do little to lighten the atmosphere around Castle Avenue.
In Terenure player-coach Kevin Putt, who seemingly entered the match with protractors and a set square, there could not have been a greater contrast in coach disposition after the game at Lakelands.
Derek Hergarty's replacement at scrumhalf late in the first half not only masterminded his side's overwhelming win on the prematch flip chart but as a player changed the complexion of the match from one which was probably going to go Terenure's way into a game about which there was little doubt shortly after half-time.
For his tactical acumen and decision making behind the scrum, Putt, along with Eric Miller or full back Richard Governey, could just as easily have picked up the man-of-the-match award, which went to Terenure captain and second-row Rory Sheriff.
Miller operated as a defensive bulwark when Clontarf had possession and an overlapping centre when they had not. For his efforts he claimed two tries one with brain, the other brawn.
Miller gained yardage when needed and effortlessly kept pace with his backs when he drifted into the line while Sheriff controlled his lineouts and was prodigious in open play. Governey, particularly in the early stages when the game was still alive, showed a masterly balance of touch kicking and running.
Certainly Terenure had a fragile 40 minutes facing the wind where they turned over ball too easily. To that extent hooker Tommy Kearns could be heard exhorting his Clontarf team-mates with "listen lads, three clean rucks and we score." That came just after Robby Baggott emerged from a body pile with the ball for Clontarf's only try after 23 minutes. But that, apart from a surge at the end, was the limit of their offensive play.
Clontarf variously fell into indiscipline going a man and, at one stage, two men down, second-row Ben Glisson earning a red card for foul play.
It was at that point on 54 minutes after Glisson's removal that Terenure made hay, moving from 10-13 down at half-time to 22-13 ahead with Steve Barretto and Miller both scoring.
Shortly afterwards Putt was berating his side for a fit of cavalier rugby. "They're two men down, why are we playing Barbarian rugby, keep it tight," he demanded. And so they did. Strong ball retention combined with a mix of forward power and backline sweeps had Clontarf fully stretched cross the pitch.
Sheriff deservedly galloped over untouched after an hour, Putt placing him perfectly for Terenure's fourth try and a bonus point. Miller's fifth came within five minutes and right wing David Coleman muscled in for the sixth in the corner as Clontarf collapsed.
Scoring sequence: 2 mins: R Murphy pen, 0-3; 8 mins: R Murphy drop goal, 0-6; 14 mins: S Cullen pen, 3-6; 19 mins: M O'Kelly try, Cullen con. 10-6; 23 mins: B Baggott try, Murphy con, 10-13; 44 mins: S Barretto try, Cullen con, 17-13; 52 mins: E Miller try, 22-13; 58 mins: R Sheriff try, Cullen con, 29-13; 63 mins: Miller try, Cullen con, 36-13; 67 mins: D Coleman try, 41-13; 79 mins: M Dowling try 46-13.
TERENURE COLLEGE: R Governey; D Colemen, M O'Kelly, M Smyth, J Coffey; S Cullen, D Hegarty; S Baretto, J Blaney, J Campbell, R Sheriff (capt), D Quinn, P O'Malley, L Hammond, E Miller. Replacements: K Putt for Hegarty (32 mins); C Egan for J Blaney (59 mins); D Blaney for Hammond (62 mins); M Dowling for O'Kelly (72 mins); C Long for Miller (79 mins).
CLONTARF: K Nowlan; A Reddan, D McElligott, O Winchester, D O'Brien; R Murphy, G Kavanagh; A Clarke, T Kearns, P McQuillan, D Sheehan, B Gissing, D Quinn, P Lynn, B Baggott. Replacements: D Moore for Lynn (59 mins); A Dunne for Murphy (65 mins); R O'Reilly for McElligott (70 mins).
Yellow cards: D O'Brien, B Baggott; Red: B Gissing. Referee: D Courtney (ARLB)
