Garryowen FC Notes w.e. 15 th November 2009

1stxv: The weather played havoc with last weekend’s fixtures causing the cancellation of the MSL, AIL U21 and Gleeson League ties. Some Trojan work by Dave Ryan and Co. ensured our senior game took place on the front pitch. Conditions were difficult to say the least for this rematch against St. Mary's College in the 3 rd round of the AIB Cup. However this not deter the home side who raced into a 16-3 lead at the break, courtesy of three Gerry Hurley penalties (4 th, 17 th and 34 th minutes) and a penalty try in stoppage time. Considerable pressure from a line-out 10 metres out resulted in a couple of light blue scrums and on the final sortie forward, the Mary's eight buckled. Referee Dave Keane awarded the penalty try and Hurley converted for 16-3. The visitors’ sole reply came from a penalty from out half Gavin Dunne in the 20 th minute. So despite having played with a considerable wind, hopes were high in the home camp. Mary's did step on the gas after the break and we had to soak up a deal of early pressure. Eventually we lifted the siege and brought play back deep into their half. Offside at a ruck afforded Hurley an opportunity to extend the lead which he duly did with a sweetly struck penalty from 35metres in the 53 rd minute. We had to defend for long periods after that and it took some heroics to keep our line in tact. Some of our younger players did very well throughout with prop Declan Lavery and wing Ronan O’Mahony catching the eye. Gerry Hurley orchestrated play at 10 and was very accurate with the boot. The win was a morale boost to our boys who can look forward to a second crack at Blackrock College in the quarter final in Stradbrook on 21 st November. Before that we have the not inconsiderable task of taking on Dolphin this Saturday in the AIB League in Dooradoyle at 2.30. This is a crucial game as we strive to move up the table. We would urge all our supporters to make a special effort to turn out on Saturday. Footnote: I may have mentioned the G Burger at least once before but it would be remiss of me not to thank Seamus, Cyril and Bernie who still managed to produce the most appetising of sustenance while most of us sheltered from the storm. That’s club spirit.
U21: We also play Dolphin in the AIL U21 on the main pitch under lights at 4.30.
J1 and J2: UL Bohemian provide the opposition in the Gleeson League in Annacotty at 2.30 on Saturday. After a couple of weeks inactivity, Dave Wallace’s boys should be raring to go. The same applies to our junior team who play Thomond in the MSL in Fitzgerald Park on Sunday at 2.30.

Under Age : The U13’s had a fine 20-0 win over UL Bohemian in the NML last Sunday. Peter Collins 2, Billy O' Hora and Jack Sexton were our try scorers. Games this Sunday include an U14 friendly v Shannon at 11.00 in Dooradoyle, while in the Colbert Cup our U19’s play St. Mary’s at 12.15.

Social and Personal: Our thanks to Eimer Danaher and Fran Hogan for their great work in organising the BT sponsored Fashion Show Lunch at the Strand Hotel last Friday.

Remembering Shane: Hard to believe that a year has rolled by since we lost Shane. It is comforting that The Shane Geoghegan Trust (sgt3.com) has been launched. This powerful and visible initiative will hopefully provide direction and enlightenment for the future. The Geoghegan family would like to express their sincere thanks to everyone who attended Shane’s first anniversary mass in the clubhouse last Monday night. Even on a very wet and windy night the clubhouse was packed. It was a moving, poignant and yet beautiful occasion to celebrate Shane’s short life. It really is only supposition, but maybe somewhere up there, that fine strapping man might just be recalling to his fellow souls…. “And it’s up and under here we go, are you ready yes or no, up and under here we go, it’s the song of the Garryowen Thirds Front Row”. Good on you Shane.