Garryowen FC Notes w.e. 29^th April 2007.

Our seniors qualified for the semi final of the AIL following a 50-7 win over Galwegians at Dooradoyle last Saturday. Even then it took some considerable time to work out the permutations of the other contenders results before we could confirm our place in the last four. We built up a 31-0 at the break albeit assisted by a strong wind and when ‘Wegians scored a converted try early in the second half to reduce our surplus to 24 we still had it all to do. There were some hair raising moments close to our line for a period before we lifted the siege and brought play back into their half. A late burst of tries from the O’Boyle twins set the target in the clubhouse and the results from the other venues meant we squeezed through by a couple of points. Anthony Kavanagh 2, Conan Doyle 2, Damien Varley, Ciaran O’Boyle and Cillian O’Boyle were the try scorers. Eoghan Hickey added the extra points to six and also kicked a penalty. Our third place finish sets up a rematch with Clontarf on Saturday at 2.30 in Castle Avenue. There was precious little between the teams in our recent league game and this semi-final promises to be another thriller. Supporters buses will be leaving from outside Willie Sexton’s at 10.00 on Saturday morning. To reserve a seat please text Killian on 086-8359902. There was disappointment for our under age teams at the weekend. Our U18’s came up against a very talented Bruff side at the Canal Bank and went down 31-7. In the U13 final Young Munster produced a powerful display to upset the odds and ran out 34-17 winners despite a spirit fight back by our lads in the second half while the U14’s found Shannon too tough a nut to crack when losing 28-10. They trailed 18-0 at the break but second half tries from Derrick Dillon and John McDonnell set up an exciting finish. However a late converted try and a penalty by Shannon sealed the victory. Our U20’s didn’t reproduce their recent league form when going down 29-11 to Shannon in the NM U20 Cup at Coonagh on Monday. Willie Staunton kicked two penalties to keep us in the game in the first half after which we trailed 15-6. Two excellent Shannon tries early in the second half put the game beyond reach and although our boys never gave up our only response was a try from Tadhg Nihill. There was no doubting Shannon’s superiority on the night and they now go through to the final. Dooradoyle is the official venue for the Summer Tag Rugby. To enter a team please access the internet on www.irfutag.ie