Young Munster and Garryowen earned crucial victories from today’s action in Division 1A of the AIL.
Gearoid Prendergast’s Young Munster earned their second victory of the season with a 28-24 win over Dublin University at Tom Clifford Park, while Garryowen beat Terenure 27-14 at Lakelands.
The win at Tom Clifford Park was Munsters first at home this season and they got off to the perfect start with two tries inside the opening 10 minutes.
Gavin Coombes got their first after a quick tap penalty and that was followed up by the first to two Alan Tynan tries. Both of which were converted by Evan Cusack.
Trinity came back into the game as the half wore on with Michael O’Kennedy getting them on the scoreboard from the kicking tee, before Thomas Clarkson scored a try that O’Kennedy converted.
As a result, Young Munster’s lead at the break was cut to just four points (14-10).
The away side piled on the pressure in the early stages of the second half, but Young Munster’s defence held firm and Coombes’ penalty turnover eased some pressure.
The same man was involved on 58 minutes after a powerful carry set Young Munster on the attack.
Some superb hands from Fintan Coleman, Jack Lyons and Jordan Stewart released Keelan Stephenson.
The former Richmond man did brilliantly to cut in off the left wing to finish off a brilliant move.
Moments later Munsters were in again. Quick hands released Luke Fitzgerald on the right and after breaking clear of the Trinity defence, he popped the ball inside to Tynan for an easy finish under the posts and the bonus point score.
Cusack made no mistake with both conversions to put Young Munster 28-10 clear with an hour on the clock.
Trinity ran in for two late tries to earn a losing point, but it didn’t detract from a superb Munsters performance.
Following the victory, Young Munster head coach Prendergast spoke to Sporting Limerick about the win that puts them into sixth in the table.
Elsewhere, Garryowen are in third place with that 27-14 win over Terenure at Lakelands.
The Light Blues led 12-7 at the break thanks to Liam Coombes and Colm Quilligan tries.
A Jamie Heuston penalty early in the second half stretched that advantage to eight points, but a converted Terenure score saw just one point between the teams.
Diarmuid Barron restored Garryowen’s lead with a third try and Heuston made sure of the bonus point late on with his second of the game.
In Division 1B, Shannon fell to their fourth loss of the campaign after they went down 24-20 at home to Old Wesley.
Wesley made a strong start with the opening try, but Kelvin Brown responded to leave the score at 7-5 after 15 minutes.
Both sides then traded penalties, but it was Wesley that went into half time in the ascendancy thanks to their second try. 15-8 at the break.
Wesley kicked to penalties to go 13 points clear, but Tom Ahearne’s try nine minutes into the second half gave Shannon hopes of a comeback.
Another Wesley penalty gave them an 11-point advantage and although Ikem Ugwueru scored late on for Shannon, Wesley held on for the win.
In Division 2A, Old Crescent remain in mid table following a 43-16 win over Ballymena in Rosbrien.
Tries from Jack O’Mahony (2), Jack Hogan, Val McDermott (2), Niall Harriman and Ed Barry saw Crescent to an impressive victory.
In the same division, UL Bohs fell to a 15-8 defeat to Barnhall in Maynooth. That defeat sees them return to the foot of the table.
In Division 2C, Bruff won for the first time in three games after Jack Fitzgerald’s late try saw them to a 14-10 win over Sunday’s Well.
Following the win, Bruff head coach paid tribute to his players for their response to defeats in their last two games.
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