A WIN for Garryowen was to be the only success that the Limerick based top flight clubs would see last weekend as Shannon, UL Bohemian and Young Munster would all fall to second half defeats and leave Clontarf perched on top of the league division one with six wins from six outings.
Garryowen 20 Cork Constitution 19, Dooradoyle
Ciaran O’Boyle would mark the only try for Garryowen with the remainder of the points coming from four penalties off the boot of Conor Kilroy and a vital match winning drop goal from Willie Staunton.
Cork Constitution couldn’t add to the tries from Denis Hurley and Tim Kenneally or the two penalties and drop goal from Munster replacement fly half, Jeremy Manning
It was a resurgent performance from the light blues as they came from behind to eventually take the game from the clasp of defeat thanks to Willie Staunton, younger of Irish international Jeremy.
Dungannon v Garryowen, Stevenson Park
Garryowen travel to Dungannon this weekend after both sides notched up victories last weekend.
Young Munster 16 Dungannon 17, Tom Clifford Park
A SINGLE converted try from Darragh Payne and three penalties from the boot of Matthew Costelloe was not enough to tip the balance in favour of the home side last weekend as the Cookies fell to their fifth defeat in the top flight by a solitary point.
Two converted tries and a single penalty was enough to see Dungannon take the spoils in a well fought affair at Tom Clifford Park.
This however was Young Munster’s fell to third successive AIB League defeat and one that was spurned by a Dungannon comeback that snatched the lead and the overall spoils of the game.
More woes would end the game as Young Munster’s Matthew Costelloe missed an injury-time penalty that could have given the Cookies their second league win of this seasons campaign.
Galwegians v Young Munster, Crowley Park
This weekend, Young Munster travel to Galwegians in a Saturday kick off that pits 14th against 11th.
Shannon 6 Clontarf 8, Thomond Park
TWO penalties from Tadhg Bennett were not enough to turn around the single unconverted Clontarf try from Heinrich Stride and the penalty kick from Darragh O’Shea.
This is Shannon’s second defeat of the Division One campaign as Clontarf edged them out at Thomond Park.
It was a 76th-minute penalty from Clontarf team captain Darragh O’Shea that put Shannon to the sword of defeat and elevate Clontarf to their sixth straight league win.
A nil-all half time score would be turned around to see Clontarf take the lead through their well worked forwards movement despite the attention of two penalties from Bennett. Darragh O’Shea confidently slotted home the penalty to take the points after infringements on the Shannon side.
Shannon v St. Mary’s College, Coonagh
This weekend, Shannon are at home again in Thomond Park but face off against St Mary’s College in game arranged for Sunday at 14.30.
Mary’s beat Boh’s last weekend and will look to take the scalp of another Limerick club. However Shannon will have a point to prove in front of their loyal Thomond Park crowd.
St. Mary’s College 18 UL Bohemian 6, Templeville Road
Tries from Simon Gibney, Darragh Fanning together with some accurate kicking dispatched the challenge of UL Bohemian’s as the Limerick side dropped off contention towards the top of the tree in the AIL league division one. That defeat was Boh’s third of the season and leaves them sitting in a mid-table slot in ninth position with 15 points.
The defeat last weekend saw Boh’s trail at 18 points to nil at one stage before the two consolation penalties came from the boot of Fergal Lawlor.
U.L. Bohemian v Cork Constitution, Thomond Park.
This weekend, Boh’s will entertain a Cork Con side looking to right some wrongs they suffered at the hands of Bohs’ fellow Limerick club, Garryowen.
This game is also scheduled for a Sunday afternoon kick-off in Thomond Park.
IN DIVISION TWO:
Great news for Limerick clubs in division two as all three sides marked up wins and will look to do so again this weekend.
Results from Saturday and Sunday 6/7 December
De La Salle Palmerston 13 Bruff 18
Instonians 8 Old Crescent 13
Thomond 19 Clonakilty 11
Fixtures Saturday and Sunday 13/14 December
Old Crescent v Belfast Harlequins, Rosbrien
Greystones v Thomond, Dr. Hickey Park
Bruff v Highfield, Killballyowen Park, Sunday
