It was a successful weekend for the majority of Limerick teams in the All-Ireland League (AIL) with Garryowen, Young Munster, Shannon, Old Crescent and UL Bohs all securing victories from their matches. Bruff were the only team to taste defeat from their game with Clonmel.
Garryowen consolidated second place in the table behind Cork Con with a hard fought 15-7 away win over UCC.
It was a tight opening half at the Mardyke, but the travelling Light Blues went in at the break 5-0 to the good by virtue of Cian O’Shea’s try. Colm Quilligan gave Garryowen a superb start to the second half with an intercept try.
Jamie Heuston added a third to put Conan Doyle’s men in a strong position. UCC finished the game strongly with Rory Suttor scoring their only try. Garryowen welcome Terenure to Dooradoyle in their next game on February 14th.
Young Munster got back to winning ways at Tom Clifford Park with a thrilling 35-21 victory over Ballynahinch. Evan O’Gorman crossed twice for Gearoid Prendergast’s side, while Harry Fleming, Jack Harrington and a penalty try accounted for their other five pointers.
It was a performance and victory that sees Munsters into sixth place in Division 1A. It topped off a great few days for the club after Alan Kennedy was named captain of the Prendergast coached Irish Club XV that play in the 2020 Club International Series. Munsters play Dublin University away in their next game.
In Division 1B, Shannon kept up their recent return to form with a superb 28-25 victory over St Mary’s at Templeville Road. Shannon were 14-7 down at the break with Alan Fitzgerald’s converted try putting them in front.
Mary’s added another try early in the second half, but Shannon responded through Kelvin Brown. Pa Ryan then put Shannon in front. Mary’s hit back with two penalties to go 25-21 in front.
However, Shannon earned the win with Ryan’s second try seeing them home. The win puts them back into the playoff spots ahead of their next game against Old Wesley.
Old Crescent are also in the playoff places in Division 2A following a comprehensive 50-24 win over Nenagh Ormond in Rosbrien. Val McDermott (2) and Jack O’Neill tries saw Crescent into a 19-10 lead at the break.
Lorcan Kavanagh secured the bonus point early in the second half and Crescent went to town from there with McDermott bagging his hat-trick and then his fourth, while Cathal O’Reilly and Gary Fitzgerald also went over for Matt Browne’s side. Crescent will be hoping to keep their excellent form going with a trip to Ballymena next time out.
UL Bohs are also in fine form in the same division and moved into midtable thanks to a 36-21 win against Dolphin. A Jamie Shanahan double put Bohs 12-7 up at half-time and Jamie McNamara’s early second half score put them in a comfortable position.
Two Dolphin tries saw them go 21-19 ahead, but Harry Byrne saw Bohs go ahead once more with a penalty 20 minutes into the second half. Dave O’Connor and Robbie Bourke crossed the whitewash again for Bohs in the final 10 minutes to earn the bonus point win. Next up for them is a home game against top of the table MU Barnhall.
In Division 2C, Bruff suffered their fourth loss on the bounce after Clonmel beat them at home on a 14-11 scoreline. Bruff lead 6-0 at the break, but Clonmel crossed for two converted tries to take control.
Cian Clifford scored Bruff’s only try, but they were unable to complete the comeback. They now sit one point off the relegation playoff spot ahead of their next game with Sunday’s Well.
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