News

Good league win for Under 14’s over Garryowen

November 7, 2018

Last Sunday saw our Under 14 side make the short journey toDooradoyle for round 5 of the North Munster League. Played in poor weatherconditions, with cold sleety rain, both sides endeavoured to run the ballwhenever possible, in what was a closely fought local derby.

From the kick off, Garryowen applied pressure on theMunsters’ rearguard, but sound defence from our three quarters enabled us toweather this early storm. We gradually began to gain ascendency in the tightexchanges, which enabled us to play most of the first half deep in Garryowenterritory.

After 20 minutes, the home side were penalised for aline-out infringement, and with our pack on top, we opted from a scrum 10metres from the Garryowen line. Our No.8 Brendan Kelly drove off the back ofthe scrum and went for a blind side break, but was held up just short. Furtherchances were at a premium during the opening half, with defences dominating.

Eoin Carey was replaced by Shane O’Connell at half time, andwe were unfortunate to lose hooker Emmett Connolly to injury in the secondhalf. A newcomer to rugby, Emmet put in a great performance and continues toimprove with every match. Our back row was now exerting far more control andsome typically barnstorming runs from Dan O’Brien and Jake Fitzgerald gainedvaluable ground.

At half back, Josh O’Donoghue and Dean Garvey varied theirgame intelligently, and wings Damien Benson and Kelvin Brosnahan always lookeddangerous when in possession. Full back, Alex O’Callaghan dealt capably withanything that came his way, whilst always looking to counter attack.

Good work from our pack eventually saw us cross for a tryfrom Aaron McNamara, who gained possession on the right, 22 metres out but washelped over by his pack.

A further try followed ten minutes later when our forwardswent through several phases, with Calvin McDonagh and Caylum McDonaghprominent, when Dean Garvey fed centre David Benn on the short side, and aftera typically mazy run, our centre touched down. Dean Garvey landed theconversion to leave the score 12-0.

To their credit, Garryowen continued to run the ball atevery opportunity, and were rewarded when prop Paddy Tobin crashed overfollowing a line out 5 metres from our line. We finished the game on theattack, and with a little patience and correct options being taken, perhaps wecould have had another score. Final score 12–5, well done to all.

Team: Alex O’Callaghan; Kelvin Broshnahan, Aaron McNamara,David Benn, Damien Benson; Dean Garvey, Josh O’Donoghue; Jack Finucane, EmmettConnolly,

Calvin McDonagh; Caylum O’Dwyer, Eoin Carey; JakeFitzgerald, Brendan Kelly, Dan O’Brien; Subs: Shane O’Connell for Eoin Carey,Jake Bennis for Jack Finucane, Jordan McKnight for Emmett Connolly.

Final Score: Garryowen 5 – 12 Young Munster