Garryowen FC Notes we 18th October 2009.
Our senior team suffered a big defeat when they were comprehensively beaten 48-14 by Blackrock College in Stradbrook last Saturday. A try by centre Ronan O’Mahony in the 39th minute narrowed the gap to 24-11 and our team were slowly edging their way towards territorial advantage. Up to then, the Dublin side had totally dominated proceedings and the concession of three converted tries and a penalty did not augur well for our prospects. Conor Murray had kept us somewhat in touch with two well struck penalties but some weak first time tackles didn’t help our cause. This Rock team needs no second invitation to career through a gap. We came more into the game in the early stages of the second half and Murray kicked another penalty to narrow the gap to ten points. However Rock replied with a penalty of their own in the 52nd minute to make it 27-14. Within a minute, the game was well and truly over. A breakdown in the Rock defence almost yielded a try but instead the ball was moved out of the danger zone and before we knew it, Rock were touching down at the other end. At 14-34 and with really only pride to play for, we committed to all out attack. On days like these, it seems as if every bounce goes against you but Blackrock were simply top class in the closing quarter. They completed their six try haul with a brace in the last few minutes and our players and supporters were, to say the least, a bit shell shocked at the final whistle. We can have no complaints about the result and we were well beaten on the day We now have to pick pieces and move on to our next outing on Saturday when we travel to play Navan in the AIB Cup at 2.30.Our U21’s picked up a bonus point in their opening AIL game v Highfield in Dooradoyle last Saturday. Mark and Dave Rowley, Darren Sherlock, Brendan Cullinane and David O’Connor were the try scorers in our 33-13 win. This Saturday they are away to Richmond at 2.30. Our 3rdXV went down 13-9 to Old Crescent in a J2 friendly in Rosbrien last Saturday where light blue out half Barry Sheehan kicked three penalties.This Saturday they travel to play Cashel in their opening Gleeson League game at 6.00. Our 3rd A side entertained St. Mary's in Dooradoyle last Saturday. David Madden kicked a penalty but the Saints prevailed 8-3 in a highly entertaining game. Our 2ndXV have settled well and they easily accounted for Old Crescent 49-10 in the MSL in Dooradoyle last Sunday. On Sunday they are away to Nenagh Ormond in the same competition in what should be a close encounter. In Under Age, there were NML wins for our U14’s 24-5 over Bruff, while our U13’s beat Richmond 15-5. Games fixed for this Sunday include NMLU19 v Newcastlewest away at 11.30 and a series of friendlies in Dooradoyle viz U17 Friendly v Bruff 12.00,U16 Friendly v Young Munster at 11.30 and U15 Friendly v Thomond at 11.00. Don’t forget Halloween Fancy Dress Party in the clubhouse on Sunday 25th October at 9.00. Congratulations to Michael Roberts who married the lovely Aoife McGrath on Monday last in Portugal.