Garryowen earn city bragging rights with win over Shannon

Garryowen are the highest placed local team in Division 1Aof the AIL following a 30-29 victory over city rivals Shannon last Friday at Dooradoyle.

A late penalty try saw Conan Doyle’s side to a dramatic win over a Shannon team that lead by 11 points going into the closing stages.

Tom Hayes’ Shannon side drew first blood early on in the game with a well taken opening try but Garryowen were soon on level terms thanks to Mike O’Donnell.

A well taken Ethan Moloney try following a Flannery grubber kick put Shannon back in the ascendancy but Cian O’Shea squared things up again with the home side’s second try.

Flannery looked to have given Shannon the advantage in the lead up to half time only for Diarmuid Barron’s excellent five pointer in the left corner giving Garryowen a 15-13 lead at the break.

Two Flannery penalties either side of a Ben Healy strike from the kicking tee had Shannon a point in front early in the second half, before tries from Craig Casey and Patrick Ryan looked to have seen Shannon home to an impressive win.

Garryowen second row Kevin Seymour’s try and Healy’s conversion gave Doyle’s charges hope of a late comeback and the penalty try confirmed the one point win.

The Light Blues travel to second bottom UCC this weekend before the Christmas break looking for their fourth win on the bounce. Shannon welcome UCD to Thomond Park in their next game this coming Saturday.

Elsewhere in Division 1A, Young Munster fell to a 26-3 defeat to table toppers Cork Constitution at Temple Hill. Munsters were well beaten on the day and were 14-0 down at the break after the home side had a JoeMcSwiney effort and a penalty try.

Clayton Stewart kicked two penalties for Gearoid Prendergast’s side in the second half but further five pointers from Patrick Casey and Shane Daly saw Con to a bonus point win. It doesn’t get any easier for Munsters this weekend when they welcome third placed Clontarf to Tom Clifford Park.

In Division 2A of the AIL, UL Bohs moved into fourth place with a 29-14 over Dolphin at the 4G pitch in the University of Limerick.

Old Crescent dropped to seventh after an away defeat to Blackrock. The sides meet in a Limerick derby this Friday at 8pm in Rosbrien.

There is also a local derby in Division 2C on Friday evening with Bruff taking on Thomond at Kilballyowen Park. Bruff run of six wins on the trot came to an end at the weekend after a 19-14 loss to Malahide. Thomond go into the game following a 27-17 home loss to Tullamore.