Garryowen FC Notes w.e.08^th October 2006

A place in the semi final of the Munster Senior Cup and qualification for the All Ireland Cup were on offer last Saturday when we played Thomond in pretty miserable conditions at Fitzgerald Park. As was expected, the game was fought with fierce intensity and while we appeared to stutter from time to time, our 16-6 victory was fully deserved. Ed Mackey got the game’s only try, following repeated pounding of the home goal-line. Conor Kilroy added the points and his three penalties were sufficient to maintain the safe distance between the teams throughout. Declan Lavery, Damien Varley and Liam Og Casey acquitted themselves quite well and came through the usual examination by the experienced Thomond front-row. Welsh international, Chris Wyatt made his debut in the 48m and while it is going to take time for him to settle in, our squad should be well prepared for their opening AIL game on Sat 14^th in Dungannon.

The U20’s had an away friendly in Nenagh and tries from Michael John O’Hurley, Michael Sherry and Capt. Tadhg Nihill were sufficient to take the spoils 19-3. Eoin Breen lined out at No. 10 and kept the pack moving forward all day, while scrum-half Darragh O’Brien was a real handful for the home team. Their next (NML ) game is on Saturday when they play Old Crescent in Rosbrien at 2.00.

The 3rdXV went down to their second consecutive Gleeson League defeat when losing 16-3 to Old Crescent. We were well in the game at half time and contested well in the scrums. After a few shaky line-outs, Roy Sexton at 2 and Chris Egan at 4 did really well on our own ball. We conceded a number of needless penalties in the second half and found ourselves 9-3 down with 12 minutes to go. Throwing caution to the wind we went for the 7 points and from a knock-on, Crescent got the advantage and their open side slipped a tackle and ran in to score under the posts to seal the game. It is still early days and the team has a chance to bounce back on Saturday when they play St. Senan’s in Dooradoyle at 3.00. Following a week of inactivity, a tough assignment awaits our junior team when they travel to Coonagh on Sunday to play Shannon in the MSL. Please note kick off is at 3.30.

It’s pretty hectic on the under age front right now, what with the usual league games and the early season blitzes. The U13’s continue to catch the eye after their emphatic 50-0 win away to Ennis in the NML. David Butler (2), Evan O’Callaghan (2), Alex Fitzgerald, Nathan Eckert, Connor Mulqueen, Michael Hogan all had tries and Andrew O’Byrne again excelled with the boot when landing five conversions. The U10’s won both heir games in an entertaining blitz. This Sunday the U8/ U9’s have a chance to show their paces while the bigger boys continue their NML exploits. The U18’s take on Newcastle West and the U13’s play St. Senan’s. Both matches kick off at 12.00 noon in Dooradoyle. Young Munster host our U15’s in Derryknockane at 11.30.