Garryowen FC Notes w.e. 04^th March 2007

Musgrave Park Cork is the venue for the first of our last four AIL games when we face Dolphin at 2.30 on Saturday. Nothing short of a win will suffice as we attempt to keep pace with the leaders. Games between the sides have always been close and the usually uncompromising Dolphin pack will no doubt try to impose themselves. We will have to wait on a number of players either nursing injuries or on Celtic League duty. Our improved performance against UL Bohs has put the squad in the right fame of mind and, weather permitting, the ball may get plenty of width. The Munster Junior Cup quarter finals will be staged on Sunday. In arguably the tie of the day we play our old rivals Cork Con in Dooradoyle at 3.00. We have had some epic encounters with the boys from Temple Hill and odds-on we will have more of the same before the winners advance to the penultimate stage of the competition. The NML U20 Final played in dreadful conditions in Thomond Park last Friday under lights produced a game worthy of the great tradition between Shannon and Garryowen. Despite the soap-like ball and driving rain, the players kept the fair sized crowd entertained from start to finish. After two earlier misses, Willie Staunton kicked a penalty and for a time we held the upper hand. Once Shannon got up a head of steam they looked dangerous and sustained pressure close to our 22 saw their out half Eamon Lane unlock our defence for a try. The missed conversion could have proved costly but a further Lane penalty put them comfortably in front 8-3 at the break. The second half was played at a fair old lick. Our pack came more and more into the game but the concession of needless penalties often turned attack into defence. Shannon’s marginally crisper rucking was offset by a more formidable light-blue lineout in which Conor McNamara and Liam Guiry were outstanding. We managed to roll the ball over after tremendous pressure on their line only to be pinged for not releasing. Both sides had opportunities to increase their score but for the final pass being spilled on contact. Shannon could have wrapped up the game with 5 minutes to go but an uncharacteristic miss from a penalty gave our boys renewed hope. From there to the finish we put the ball wide and with some fresh legs making a serious impact, the excitement mounted. A classic lineout take on half way saw the ball move the width of the field and left wing Emmet Harty scorched a number of tacklers on the outside to touchdown. Willie Staunton’s conversion could have won the game but the flags stayed down. A replay looked the likely and fairest outcome to a tremendously sporting game but there was to be one final twist in the tale. From the kick-off the ball eventually found touch. The resultant lineout to Shannon saw the ball thrown long and in the scramble for possession the referee awarded a penalty. Eamon Lane showed great composure to put Shannon 11-8 in front and almost immediately the final whistle sounded. Our players and coaches were understandably disappointed to lose at the death but can be proud of their efforts on the night. Barry McNamara, Michael Sherry and Ben Rowley were excellent in the front row. Tadgh Nihill, Jason Quinlivan and replacements Sean Hogan and Darragh O’Brien also did well. A special word of thanks to the Shannon Coaches Colm Tucker and Gerry Casey who visited our dressing room after the game. Their words of consolation and encouragement made the pill less bitter to swallow. A top-class sporting gesture. Please note U18 training continues on Friday nights at 7.00 in Dooradoyle. In a hard fought Webb Cup game in Dooradoyle our 3rdXV had to go to extra time before getting the better of a strong Presentation side 26-16. The teams had finished level 16-16 at the end of normal time. We controlled the first half and led 13–6 at the break, thanks to a typical driving try by John Mark Griffin converted by Dave Madden. Damien Fahey dropped a goal and Dave Madden also added a penalty. We lost our composure in the second half and Pres gradually got back into the game to level 13-13 with 5 minutes to go. Dave Madden kicked a penalty to edge us back in front only for the Pres out-half Liam Dooley to tie the scoring with a fine drop goal. Extra time provided the necessary wake up call for our players who responded with a 15 meter maul at the end of which the ever-reliable Kevin Sheahan touched down in the corner. In the second period of extra time Finnian Chesser broke away from a maul and made the line to ensure victory and a place in the next round. Our young guns Darragh O’Brien and Eoin Breen acquitted themselves well and Mark Hanrahan led his pack by example. Congratulations to Ireland on their fantastic performance in Croke Park last Saturday. It was a truly emotional and memorable occasion. Well done to all the players, coaches and supporters on one of the Nation’s finest-ever days.