Garryowen FC Notes w.e 17^th February 2008

Our Seniors make the long trip to Dr. Hickey Park on Saturday to play Greystones in the AIB League at 2.30. It seems almost a lifetime since these sides last met and it will be interesting to see if their recent improvement in form can be maintained. After exiting the Munster Senior, Munster Junior and AIB Cups rather tamely, our coaches will be hoping that we can hang on to the blue riband of club rugby. Nothing short of a win will suffice. A Supporters bus will leave from outside Willie Sextons at 9.30 and return at 5.00 sharp. To reserve a seat please contact Killian Slattery on 086 8359902. As already mentioned our reign as Munster Junior Champions ended at Dooradoyle last Sunday when UL Bohemians came from behind to record a deserved 22-14 win. They thus avenged last year’s Final reverse and on the day we can have no complaints. Willie Staunton and Aidan McNulty exchanged a brace of penalties before a penalty for offside under the posts could have restored our lead. However quick as a flash Shane Moloney was touching down Staunton’s diagonal kick for a well worked try. A further penalty pushed the score out to 14-6 but McNulty replied and added the extras to an excellent try from Nick Lutman which saw the visitors turn over leading 16-14. Despite some industrious work from our pack, we never could quite secure the vital score in the second half and two more penalties from McNulty put the game beyond our reach. On Sunday we play Young Munster in the NM 2 League. The time and venue have yet to be agreed. Bruff is the venue for the Gleeson League Semi Final on Saturday at 2.30. This should be a cracking game and those not venturing to Greystones could do worse than make the trip to support Niall Wixted, Shane Geoghegan and Co. Corinthians were unable to field a team for last Saturday’s final AIL U20 game. After a week’s training this will have proved quite frustrating for the players but to keep the troops on their toes, we entertain Sundays Well in a friendly in Dooradoyle on Saturday at 2.30. The U14’s had a fine 22-10 win over Ennis in the NM League on Sunday. Evan O’Callaghan was the star of the show when scoring three tries. Jamie Fitzgibbon also touched down and Andrew O’Byrne kicked a conversion. This Sunday’s NML games sees our U16’s play Shannon in Coonagh at 12 noon, the U13’s take on Kilrush in Dooradoyle at 11.30, while the U11’s compete in a blitz in Fitzgerald Park at 10.30. The club would like to congratulate our outgoing treasurer Tony O’Shea who received a well merited lifetime achievement award for Service to Sport in the region. Catholic Institute and Garryowen will never have a more loyal and hard working club member. Unfortunately I must end on a sad note as the club learned with regret of the passing of Dan Foley. Dan’s daughter Diane is married to committee member Kenny Smith. Our sympathies to Diane and family at this difficult time.