Haugh Edges Munsters To Derby Victory
Garryowen were, to quote one of their club members, “sick as parrots” after losing a tight game to local rivals Young Munster at Dooradoyle.
Chasing their first win of the campaign, last season's runners-up had two late chances with penalties to snatch it but they had to be content with a second losing bonus point.
But Young Munster won the bragging rights in this scrappy Limerick derby thanks to three penalties by scrum half Brian Haugh, who also missed three shots at the posts.
Tom Tierney's Garryowen side, who lie bottom of the Division 1A table, dominated for long spells and scored the only try of a lively contest in which a player from each side was sent to the sin-bin at different stages of the second half.
The Light Blues were quick to gain control but despite their pressure at various stages of the first half they found themselves 6-3 in arrears at the interval.
Jamie Gavin and Haugh exchanged penalties and Haugh had a second successful kick for the Cookies, although he did also miss a few kickable chances.
Midway through the second period Garryowen scored a delightful try with Munsters out-half Kolio Hifo in the sin-bin.
Alan Gaughan floated a superb cross-field kick across for winger James McInerney to gather and speed in for the score, with out-half Gavin unable to convert from wide out.
Now 8-6 down, the John Staunton-coached Cookies nipped back in front thanks to Haugh's third penalty of the night, after a dangerous tackle from Garryowen replacement Geoff Ryan landed him in the sin-bin.
In a helter-skelter last five minutes, Garryowen had those two penalty chances but both were missed by the luckless Gavin, who suffered six misses off the kicking tee altogether.
Unfortunately for the home support, It was the second week in a row that Garryowen missed winning opportunities from penalties.
Referee: Kieran Barry (IRFU)