Garryowen Claim Derby Spoils
Garryowen held out for a deserved Limerick derby success as Young Munster plunged to their fifth defeat in-a-row in Ulster Bank League Division 1A.
With the match points of no major value to either side, bragging rights proved the major motivating factor at Dooradoyle in a game that was moved from the grass pitch to the astro-turf surface – the first occasion it was used for a league fixture.
Young Munster made a splendid start when their pack set up a rolling maul and hooker Ger Slattery got in for a try which full-back Derry O'Connor converted.
That score came after only six minutes but the home side hit back with a try of their own. It followed a period of constant pressure and winger Eamonn Connolly touched down with full-back Matt Jarvis converting to bring the Light Blues level.
Team captain Slattery was sin-binned in the 20th minute and for the first time Garryowen hit the front with a penalty from Jarvis and they never lost the lead.
They added a second try before the interval, this time by tighthead prop JP Cooney which his Connacht team-mate Jarvis again converted to leave it 17-7 at the break.
A superb try by lively replacement Shane O'Leary, converted by O’Connor, raised Young Munster’s hopes but Jarvis kicked a second penalty to ensure the win for Garryowen.
Referee: Olly Hodges (IRFU)