Long Wait Over For UL Bohs Junior Side
UL Bohemians supporters celebrated Monday’s Munster Junior Cup final success against Garryowen long into the night following Fergal Lawlor’s dramatic injury-time drop goal at Annacotty.
Out-half Fergal Lawlor held his nerve to dink over a last-gasp drop goal and decide Monday’s Munster Junior Cup final, with the kick giving UL Bohemians a 19-16 win and ending their 77-year wait for the title.
It was a glorious occasion for the winners who had a boost four hours before kick-off when they won the toss for home venue, after Gardai had suggested it would be unwise from a traffic viewpoint to play at Rosbrien where they are continuing their investigations into last week’s murder in the city.
But, after 20 minutes, home advantage was not counting for too much as Garryowen built up a ten-point lead.
On their first foray into their opponents’ half, Gerry Hurley was prominent when after a couple of drives were held up, prop Rob Laffan got in for a try which Hurley converted.
That came after seven minutes and a penalty by Hurley, midway through the half, left the home side facing a mountain to climb.
But UL Bohs managed to turn things around. A great cross-field kick by Aidan McNulty was not dealt with properly by a Garryowen defender after 22 minutes and the outstanding Kevin Bracken pounced for a try in the corner.
McNulty superbly converted and he then added a 29th-minute penalty to tie the game.
Two minutes later, a Hurley penalty edged Garryowen back in front for the interval at 13-10.
McNulty landed a penalty on the hour for UL who went in front with a superb drop goal from near halfway four minutes later, pushing the home side ahead for the first time.
In the 78th minute Alan Kingsley dropped a goal for Garryowen and just when a replay seemed likely Lawlor stepped up to land the match-winning kick.
UL Bohemian were by far the better team behind the scrum and McNulty, Lawlor and Dave Moloney were outstanding.
Garryowen were not nearly as fluent behind the scrum but in Anthony Kavanagh they had the outstanding forward on view and Laffan and David Sherry gave great support.
The win, who garnered both the Transfield Cup and Munster Junior Cup trophies for UL, sparked off intense jubilation for the Bohs followers and it rounded off a great Easter weekend for the club.
Their Under-20s retained their All-Ireland title against Blackrock College and the losing bonus point secured against Shannon ensured the senior team will be in AIB League Divison One Section A next season.