Martin And Hanrahan Kick Bohs To Much-Needed Win
Having conceded more than 80 points in their previous two outings, UL Bohemians gave themselves a much-needed boost with a surprise derby win at Tom Clifford Park on Good Friday.
Seventeen points separated these Limerick rivals in the Division 1A table prior to kick-off, and few gave Bohs much of a chance as they fight desperately to hold onto their top flight status.
UL will be at home to St. Mary's College and away to Cork Constitution in their final two games as they battle it out with Shannon at the bottom of the standings.
It was an afternoon of missed penalties by both sides at Greenfields, but successful place-kicks by Ben Martin and JJ Hanrahan handed the visitors their first win in four league games.
Colm Tucker jnr's side would have had a more comfortable margin had referee Gary Conway not ruled that a Martin penalty, midway through the second half, had gone wide off an upright.
Initially, the touch judges had raised their flags to indicate that the full-back’s effort had dropped inside the posts.
Martin had kicked Bohs ahead in the 13th minute, with his early penalty being the only score of a listless and poor quality first half.
Munster prospect Hanrahan was on the mark ten minutes from the end with the clinching penalty, with the victory moving Bohs above Shannon at the foot of the table ahead of the Shannon-Garryowen derby clash at Thomond Park.
Young Munster, who have now lost their last six league fixtures, had prop Alan Cotter yellow carded two minutes into the second half for use of the shoulder in a lineout.
UL Bohs also had to cope with centre Niall Kenneally's sin-binning for a high tackle in the closing stages, but Tucker's charges did enough to warrant a precious away victory.
Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU)