Garryowen FC Notes w.e. 11^th March 2007

Our seniors picked up a valuable AIL bonus point when they defeated Dolphin 34-14 in Musgrave Park last Saturday. Conor Kilroy and Damien Varley scored early tries (both converted by the former) but the Cork side fought back to narrow the gap to 14-7. Kilroy added a penalty and Anthony Kavanagh touched down before the break to give us a rather flattering 22-7 lead. The second half opened with Dolphin applying considerable pressure inside our 22 and it was no surprise when they narrowed gap to 22-14. Some stout midfield defending after that curtailed their run but our supporters were relieved when Anthony Kavanagh bagged a further brace of tries late in the game to ensure maximum points returned to Dooradoyle. Despite our win we still have it all to do if we are to make the play-offs . Our next game is on 24^th March v Blackrock in Dooradoyle. The South Dublin side have been stringing some impressive displays together recently so we will have to be at our very best to halt their progress. Congratualtions to Peter Malone, Damien Varley and Kevin Hartigan, who have been selected on the AIB Club International squad v Scotland. There was high drama in Dooradoyle on Sunday in the Munster Junior Cup quarter final v Cork Con. Having set the pace for most of the game we had to rely on a Willie Staunton penalty in the last play to edge into a home semi-final. Cillian O’Boyle scored an early try and Willie Staunton kicked two penalties as our pack dictated matters for much of the 40 minutes. Con always looked dangerous on the counter attack and replied with a penalty to leave us 11-3 in front at the break. A drop goal from Con (neat footwork by their blind-side!) was negated by a Staunton penalty but an uncharacteristic error in our defence gifted a try to the visitors. Crucially the straight forward conversion was missed and another Staunton penalty put us 17-11 ahead. A mistake at a line out inside our 22 was snapped up by the Con back-row and they mauled the ball over far out. Again the conversion was missed but the Temple Hill boys looked to have sealed the game when they kicked a penalty for offside near our 22. Our players showed great fighting spirit in those dying minutes. Frantic attempts by Con to put the ball dead failed as we skilfully maintained possession and edged towards their 22. Even when the penalty was awarded for an infringement, it looked long odds against our out half finding the range into the teeth of the wind. He split the posts with a fantastic effort and the referee immediately signalled the end of the game. It was an excellent advertisement for this famous competition and credit to both teams for their efforts. Unfortunately, Damien Fahey will have to wait a number of weeks before our opponents in the semi final are known. In the only game this weekend our 3rdXV play Bruff in the quarter final of the Webb Cup on Sunday in Dooradoyle at 3.00.