Garryowen FC Notes w.e 01^st October 2006.

 

The withdrawal of Youghal from the Munster Senior Cup last weekend sets up the short trip to Fitzgerald Park this Saturday, where we play Thomond at 2.30 p.m. (e.t.a.). A large crowd is sure to be present for what is likely to be a closely run affair. While the shortage of match practice may have mitigated somewhat in our preparations, we are hopeful that our experience at the top level will see us through. The opening series of games in the AIL see us making the long trip up North to play Dungannon. It is never an easy venue at the best of times, but our coaches have been working hard with the squad to ensure we hit the ground running. Finalisation of the panel for the AIL has heightened competition for places and it will be interesting to see how things pan-out when the final selections are made. Our Academy has proved a tremendous asset to the club and contributed no fewer than ten of last year’s successful senior side.

Following their poor performance in the Transfield Cup the previous week, our Junior team had a useful workout against an inexperienced Tralee side. A facile 61-8 win at Dooradoyle got the show back on the road and we should see the team progress nicely in the major competitions. Our 3rdXV went down 9-3 to Thomond in the Gleeson League. We were a bit of the pace early on but regrouped to finish strongly in a game that strangely enough produced no tries. This Saturday, we play Old Crescent in Rosbrien at 1.00 p.m.

The much anticipated opening game in the NM League saw our U20’s host UL Bohs in what turned out to be a cracker of a game. Both sides were intent on making a winning debut in the competition, but Gary Quilligan’s boys found the extra spirit and class when really needed. Shane Moloney lined out at No.15 and it was the son of the Garryowen legend Larry, who produced two moments of pure quality when grabbing a brace of tries. JP Hartigan and Eoin Breen provided a strong tackling and creative mid-field, while Diarmuid Waters pulled the strings at No.10. The pack as a unit had marginally the better of things throughout and even though the visitors came back into it at the end, there was no doubting our superiority. While early season games can be notoriously misleading, it was good to see the established players from last year’s City Cup winning side maintain their form. David Sherry, Tadhg Nihill and Sean Hogan provided an impenetrable defensive line and looped nicely to support the runners out wide. Charley Colling’s pace was a constant threat and both he and Michael Marsh also touched down. The accurate boot of our out-half produced 3 conversions and a penalty and JP Hartigan also added a conversion. The final score in a hugely entertaining game was: Garryowen 31 UL Bohs 17. This Saturday they travel to Nenagh for a friendly at 2.30.

On the under-age front, our U18’s were beaten 30-5 by UL Bohs in a friendly in Annacotty. However, Coach Liam Breathnach expects the team to progress as the players have only recently come together. Parents please note U18 Training is on Friday nights at 7.30. in Dooradoyle. The U16’s had a three-period game against Galwegians who came eventually came out on top 24-12. The U 3’s fared a bit better when beating Bruff 33-14 in the NML on Sunday. David Butler (2), John Flynn, Alex Fitzgerald and Nathan Eccereth were the try scorers and Andrew O’Byrne kicked four conversions. The U13’s have an away NML game v Ennis on Sunday at 12.00 noon, while the U10’s host a blitz at 10.30 in Dooradoyle where the participating teams will include St. Mary’s, St. Senan’s and Newcastlewest.