Garryowen FC Notes w.e. 03^rd December 2006

The senior AIL resumes on Saturday with the visit of Belfast Harlequins to Dooradoyle where the match kicks off at 2.30. Despite their lowly position in the table our supporters should need no reminding of the number of times we have come unstuck against the Northerners. There are injury doubts about a few of our players but Paul Cunningham is hopeful we will field close to full-strength. Please note John Noonan is again running the pre-match lunch at 12.30 and John can be contacted on 087-9308318 to reserve a table or place. Last weekend we had a useful friendly outing in Cork where we beat Highfield fairly comfortably 20-6. Frank McKenna and Mark Melbourne were the try scorers and Conor Kilroy accounted for the rest of the points with the boot. Tremendous heart and no little skill got our U20’s back in the groove when they defeated Corinthians 22-8 in Galway last Saturday. Dave Sherry showed some fine skills and our pack held the whip hand all through. Willie Staunton orchestrated things at out half and made space for the speedsters out wide. Captain Tadgh Nihill, Eoin Breen and the aforementioned players all crossed for tries and Willie Staunton also added a conversion. The bonus point ensured there were happy campers on the bus home to Limerick. Our junior team gave a disappointing display when losing 9-6 to UL Bohs in the MSL at a wet and cold Annacotty last Sunday. Alan Kinglsey and Willie Staunton were our only scorers. A big improvement in our performance will be necessary if we are to seriously trouble the always formidable Cork Con side on their home patch next Sunday at 2.30. The 3rdXV came from behind to beat Richmond 15-7 in the Gleeson League at Garryowen Green last Saturday. This was one that nearly got away. We went 7-0 down half way through the first but Fergus Sheahan reduced the deficit with a penalty just before the short whistle. The second half was very evenly contested until the 70^th minute when James Fanning got his hands to a deft little kick from our scrum half to score in the corner. Minutes later Mike Kennedy touched down and again Fergus Sheahan added the extra points. The team have a home friendly v Shannon on Saturday at 1.30. The under 14s travelled to Dublin on Sunday and had a great win over Wanderers 38- 5. Having suffered from the long coach journey up from Limerick, the team conceded an early try and was on the back foot early on in the game. However once the forwards got on top in the rocks and mauls, the backs opened up to score 6 tries. Ian Mooney (2), John McDonnell, Ben Drew, Rory Collins and Paul McNamara all scored five pointers. Rory had a great kicking game in difficult underfoot conditions and managed to convert four tries including one from the touchline. Sam O Rourke led the posse up front with some great pick and drives. Geoffrey Ronan and Jamie Flood also featured well. It was a great all round display by an ever improving squad of players. The squad then went on to attend the Ireland v Pacific Islanders match. We would like to remind members that the annual Mass for the Deceased Members of Garryowen FC will be held in the clubhouse on Friday 1st Dec at 7.00 p.m.