Garryowen FC Notes we 25th October 2009
1stxv: Last Saturday our senior team advanced to meet St. Mary’s College in the AIB Cup following a 34-19 win over Navan in Balreask Park. There was an early shock for the light blues when a grubber kick bounced off a defender and the home full back raced 80 metres for an excellent individual try in the 7 th minute. The full back duly converted from the touchline. However our response was fairly immediate and tries from wings Diarmuid McMahon (12 min) and Diarmaid McCarthy (16 min) settled the team. Conor Murray added a conversion and kicked a penalty before Paul Neville got through a gap in 37 th minute to touch down. Half time 20-7. The early exchanges after the interval were well contested but it was the visitors who had that little extra pace out wide. The game was put beyond reach with further tries by Alan Gaughan from an excellent pop pass from Frank McKenna and the last from the supporting Anthony Kavanagh following an excellent break by out half Gerry Hurley. Trailing 34-7, Navan could so easily have folded but they responded gamely to force two late tries. A comfortable 34-19 win in the end but the home side certainly had their moments. It was our first visit to Balreask Park. The facilities are a credit to all concerned and their AIL status (recently promoted to Div 3) is well merited. The playing surface, dressing rooms and club house are first class. Our thanks, to President Michael Gavigan and all the members for a most enjoyable day. The Navan team togged out in all pink in aid of Breast Cancer Awareness. The twenty jerseys were auctioned in the clubhouse after the game. This thoughtful initiative raised a considerable amount of funds. We would also like to acknowledge the efforts of our small but very loyal group of supporters who made the long haul to Navan. The draw for the next round sees St. Mary’s College make the trip to Dooradoyle on November 7 th. Of course we play them in the AIL first in Dooradoyle this Saturday at 2.30. It should be a cracking game. We would urge all members to come out and support the team

2ndxv: Nenagh/Ormond certainly put it up to our junior team last Sunday and we were glad to leave the Tipperary venue with a narrow 18-15 win in the MSL. Mike O’Shea and Kevin McEvoy were our try scores. Diarmuid Waters kicked a penalty and a conversion while McEvoy also kicked a goal. The league continues when we play UL Bohemian in Annacotty on Sunday at 2.30.

3rdxv: A trip to Cashel and a 9-0 win was an ideal start to the Gleeson League for our 3rdxv last Saturday. Barry Sheehan was the hero on the day kicking three penalties. The Shane Geoghegan Memorial Blitz takes place on Sunday in Dooradoyle at 4.00 with teams from Shannon, Old Crescent Air Atlanta and Garryowen competing.

U21xv: Our AIL game was cancelled last Saturday and with no game this weekend we play Shannon in a friendly on Thursday in LIT at 7.00. Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Ian Whelan who suffered a serious leg injury in training.

The Shane Geoghegan Trust (www.sgt3.com) was launched in Dooradoyle on Monday by Niall Quinn, CEO Sunderland FC. Building on its motto, “helping lives shine”, the Trust aims to offer children a range of community-based sporting and creative activities as alternatives to anti-social behaviour. A registered charity, the Trust was founded by the family and friends of Shane Geoghegan, who was brutally murdered in Limerick in November, 2008. Mr. Quinn gave a strong commitment to the Trust's fundraising efforts when he said: 'In addition to offering our experience, I am delighted today to confirm to the Trust, that Sunderland FC will be delighted to play in a Charity game in Limerick at the beginning of next season. The objective of the game will be to assist the fundraising efforts of the Trust while ensuring that the game is made available to all of those whom the Trust is trying to support.

Under Age: Our 17’s travelled to beat Bruff 40-0 in a friendly on Sunday. Meanwhile in Dooradoyle, there were also friendly wins for our U16 who beat Young Munster 19-10, while our and U15’s beat Thomond 24-5. Games this Sunday include NML U17 semi final v UL Bohemian in Dooradoyle at 11.30, NML U14 v Old Crescent at 11.30 and NML U13 v Old Crescent at 12.00 in Rosbrien.