This was one of the season's more dramatic All-Ireland League matches. The Clontarf pack looked on every opportunity inside the St Mary's 22 as a try scoring possibility and the St Mary's backline was intent on running the ball from deep within their own territory.
It was also a game of contrasts and contrasting fortune. Had the match finished 13-13, as the score stood after 57 minutes, few would have complained. That it ended with Mark Woods's drop goal attempt sailing over with the last kick of the game made it all the more unpalatable for St Mary's, who now have not had a win in their last four outings.
When Clontarf scrumhalf Mike Walls stole the ball from the base of a grounded drive on 74 minutes and nipped over for a touch down, it placed full back David O'Brien in the position of having to convert for a one-point lead going into the fag end of the match.
When his effort hit the upright leaving St Mary's 19-18 in front, it clearly appeared that the visitors' best chance had passed. But again Clontarf, with number eight Ben Gissing once more proving to be a huge force, drove forward in injury time after replacement Mark McHugh had missed a 77th minute penalty for St Mary's.
Once inside the home side's 22, the dominant pack began to squeeze St Mary's backwards and recycle impressively, leaving outhalf Woods with marginally enough room to get the winning kick into flight.
Clontarf's first try on 15 minutes was all driving force and momentum. A raid by Gissing into the St Mary's 22 set up the move, with the formidable bulk of prop Warren O'Kelly gaining the touchdown.
O'Brien, who played an invaluable full-back role both defensively and in attack, converted for Clontarf before Barry Lynn landed two home penalties to make it 6-7.
In truth there was little between the teams, both evidently superior in their chosen areas. St Mary's, playing with Leinster contracted players Peter McKenna, Peter Coyle and John McWeeney as well as having James Norton back on the right flank, clearly planned to utilise that pace.
O'Brien kicked Clontarf to 10 -6 at the break before McWeeney outpaced Daire Higgins for St Mary's only try. A close-in lineout on the right was nicked at the front and spun left quickly. With the ball arriving at McWeeney, the winger summed up Higgins and decided there was room enough outside him. There was and McWeeney took off. McHugh's conversion left the sides at 13-13 before the outhalf then kicked two more penalties for 19-13 and Wall stole the try for 18-19.
The shape of the closing five minutes was of St Mary's nursing their one-point lead down to the final whistle. Perhaps it was there they floundered. Unable to convincingly stifle the game or pin back Clontarf to their own half, they allowed the visitors to summon up that one last charge.
As mid-terms reports go, Clontarf will be warming to the Christmas break. Played seven, won four and drawn one. They would have taken that back in September.
Scoring sequence: 15 mins: O'Kelly try, O'Brien conversion, 0-7; 21 mins: Lynn penalty, 3-7; 27 mins: Lynn penalty, 6-7; 38 mins: O'Brien penalty, 6-10. Half time. 45 mins: O'Brien penalty, 6-13; 57 mins: McWeeney try, McHugh conversion, 13-13; 60 mins: McHugh penalty, 16-13; 71 mins: McHugh penalty, 19-13; 74 mins: Walls try, 19-18; 84 mins: Woods drop goal, 19-21.
ST MARY'S COLLEGE: P McKenna; J Norton, K Lewis, G Gannon, J McWeeney; B Lynn, C McPhillips; P Coyle, M Duggan, D Clare, E Keane, J Ryan, M Browne, K Jennings, M O'Shaughnessy. Replacements: M McHugh for Lynn (40 mins), F Fitzgerald for Browne (56 mins), P Tucker for Coyle (68 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, D Moore, A Dignam, D Quinn, B Gissing. Replacements: T Kearns for Kennedy (52 mins), T Foucher for O'Kelly and A Wood for Moore (63 mins).
Referee: C Stanley (ARLB)
