Plenty to build on for Limerick’s AIL sides ahead of week three

Conan Doyle’s Garryowen side got over the disappointment of an opening day defeat to holders Cork Con by beating Lansdowne in their Division 1A game at Dooradoyle on Saturday.

The Light Blues lost out by a point in Cork last week, but were the victors by the minimum margin against their Dublin opponents.

Lansdowne led 24-8 at half time, but Garryowen produced a stunning second half comeback to earn a 25-24 win.

Adam Leavy’s hat-trick put Lansdowne in firm control at the break, with Garryowen’s scores coming courtesy of a Tommy O’Hora try and a David McCarthy penalty.

Early second half converted tries from Jamie Heuston and Jack Stafford gave Garryowen hope of a comeback. That hope was realized late on when Heuston nailed a penalty five minutes from time to give his side a stunning win.

Garryowen will be looking to make it two on the trot when they face bottom of the table Dublin University at College Park in their next game.

A late Charlie O’Doherty penalty saw Young Munster earn a losing bonus point in their game with Terenure at Lakelands Park.

Terenure’s 30-23 victory condemns Munsters to a second loss on the trot, but there were plenty of positives for Gearoid Prendergast’s charges.

The Cookies were 15 points behind at the end of a one sided first half with their solitary try coming from Jordan Stewart. Evan Cusack’s conversion saw them go in 22-7 down at half time.

A Cusack penalty reduced the advantage to 12 points early in the second half and then Alan Kennedy’s converted try gave a chance of catching the home side.

Another Terenure try ended that hope and Munsters had to settle for a point thanks to O’Doherty’s 40 metre penalty.

Young Munster welcome high flying UCC to Tom Clifford Park in search of their first win of the 2019/20 season. UCC are currently top of the tree after wins over Dublin University and Ballynahinch so far this term.

In Division 1B, Shannon got their first win of the season by beating Malone 32-13 in Belfast. Tadgh Bennett’s side led 22-6 at the break and continued to dominate in the second half. Pa Ryan scored two tries in the victory, while Adam Moloney, Will Leonard, Nathan Randles and Jamie McGarry also crossed over the whitewash.

Next up for Shannon is a home game against Navan.

Old Crescent kept up their 100% record in Division 2A thanks to a 27-10 win over Dolphin at Rosbrien. Crescent led 13-7 at the break thanks to Jack O’Neill’s try and eight points from the kicking tee by Ronan McKenna.

The second half was more comfortable for the home side with two Kyle Theron efforts ensuring their spot at the top of the table. Crescent will look to keep their 100% record when they make the short trip to Cashel on Saturday.

Elsewhere, UL Bohs remain pointless after falling to a 33-15 loss to Queens University. Bohs led 12-7 at half time thanks to Alan Kiely and Joey Conway, but they were unable to replicate that showing after the break.

Kiely added a penalty to his first half conversion to keep Bohs in front early in the second half.

However, they were blitzed by a rampant Queens side from there on in. Bohs will be hopeful of reversing their recent woes when Rainey Old Boys visit the University of Limerick.

In Division 2C, Bruff have top billing after a bonus point win over Enniscorthy at Kilballyowen Park.

Tries from James Te Pairi (2), Cian Clifford and Florent Riquet saw them to a 31-24 win and maintain their 100% start to the season. Next up for Bruff is a trip to Midleton.