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Draw seals league crown

Tuesday 12th 2001. The Star - Ger Keville.

Clontarf Athletic 1 - Stedfast United 1

Clontarf 2nds clinched the UCL Division One title last Saturday after a tense draw at home to championship rivals, Stedfast 2nds. If Stedfast had won, then the race for the league crown would have gone to a three-way play-off with Dollymount also in the hunt. But despite piling on the pressure with the score at 1-1, Clontarf's defence held firm to secure glory for Derek Haines' outfit. Though Clontarf will revel in their success, the only downside is that they will still play Division One football next year. Clontarf's first team are in the Premier Division so their seconds cannot join them in the top flight. As a result, it will be Dollymount and Enniskerry who join the elite of the United Churches League next season.

Clontarf were clearly up for this match and they dominated the early exchanges. The lively John Cahill was pulling the strings in midfield and he came close with a 25-yard effort in the 11th minute. Two minutes later a Mick Grant cross from the left fell to James Cunningham and his deflected volley from six yards flashed a couple of inches over the bar. Clontarf got the vital breakthrough midway through the second half. An Andy Malone cross was flicked on by Shane O'Hanlon and James Cunningham was on hand to poke home from close range.

But Stedfast dominated from there on and deservedly levelled matters when Donnelly headed home after Paul Geraghty flick on a Farrelly cross. Stedfast threw everything at the home side in the closing stages but it was Clontarf's day.

STEDFAST: Tony White, Shane Kavanagh, Alex Fox, Robbie Donnelly, Paul Geraghty, Kevin Norris, Brian Farrelly, Henry Fox, Kevin Dooley, Thomas Kavanagh, Ken White, Aidan Strutt.
Subs : Tony Gillick, Stephen White, Dino Mayans.

Henry Fox in action against Clontarf