Honours Even Between Munster Heavyweights
Garryowen ended their two-match losing run in All-Ireland League Division 1A, striking late to secure an 11-11 draw with defending champions Cork Constitution on Saturday.
Games between these great Munster rivals are always closely contested and so it was at Dooradoyle where Declan Cusack's penalty from near the touchline with the last kick of the game gave the Light Blues a share of the spoils.
Garryowen got off to a flying start with a try after just four minutes. Full-back Lorcan Bourke was the player to finish off a fine move between Munster scrum half Conor Murray, his half-back partner Cusack and winger Ronan O'Mahony who gave the final pass to the onrushing Bourke.
Two minutes later, the hosts increaded their lead to 8-0 with Cusack's first penalty of this pulsating encounter.
Former Garryowen scrum half Gerry Hurley, who was making his league debut for Cork Con, replied with a penalty and despite the best efforts of both sides, the 8-3 scoreline remained for half-time.
The visitors wasted a couple of try-scoring opportunities as the second half got underway. The most notable saw full-back Sean Scanlon canter out of his 22 and experienced winger Cronan Healy almost finished off the move with a try.
But, right on the hour mark, Constitution drew level. Following several close-in drives by the forwards, lock Brian Hayes broke through for an unconverted try which tied things up.
Six minutes from the finish, a Hurley penalty put the Corkmen in front for the first time and they looked to have secured the match points for their fifth win in six league games.
But then came Cusack's dramatic late penalty to level the sides for the final time, just when it seemed like Hurley would have the last laugh against his former club.