Outhalf Willie Staunton,who has been in terrific form with the boot all season, dropped an early goalfor us in the first ten minutes despite the swirling wind.
Ten minutes later however it was Garryowen’s turn to replywith Ian Hanly getting in at thecorner. The conversion from the touchline didn’t find its target. A penaltyfrom Staunton brought the score to 6-5 in our favour as we entered the secondquarter.
Garryowen got a penalty back on the half hour mark thanks tothe boot of Declan Cusack but anotherscore for Staunton took us just ahead at 9-8. The light blues had a penaltydrop short before the half-time whistle to leave us ahead going into the break.
Not too long into the second half, Young Munster centre AndrewBurke chased a chip through from Stauntonto score under the posts with Willie adding on the conversion to bring the scoreto a more comfortable lead at 16-8 but Garryowen always threatened and in thefinal quarter, Alan Gaughanfound touch in the corner for a try with Declan Cusack on target with a greatkick from touch this time to bring the score to 16-15.
Just minutes afterwards however, Andrew Burke struck again to complete his brace with a breakthrough the middle of a ruck to score in the corner. The conversion didn’t findits way between the posts and the score remained 21-15 as we held out for theremaining ten minutes until player coach Mike Prendergast could send the ball to touch at the final whistlefor another clean sweep for the Cookies.
Final score: Young Munster 21 – 15 Garryowen
Scorers:
Young Munster: Tries: Andrew Burke; Con: Willie Staunton;Pen: Willie Staunton; Drops: Willie Staunton 2
Garryowen: Tries: Ian Hanly, Alan Gaughan; Con: Declan Cusack; Pen: DeclanCusack
Following the weekend’s results, Clontarf and St.Mary’s both have 45 points at the top of the Ulster Bank League table withClontarf just ahead on points difference.
Young Munster are inthird position on 43 points but the teams at the top will all play each otherover the remaining five games of the league so anything can happen…
YM UBL GAME 14 – Old Belvedere away 03/03/12
YM UBL GAME 15 – Clontarf at home 24/03/12 [*book now forthis Pre-Match Lunch]
YM UBL GAME 16 –Lansdowne away 31/03/12
YM UBL GAME 17 – Dolphin at home 14/04/12 [*book now forthis Pre-Match Lunch]
YM UBL GAME 18 –St. Mary’saway 21/04/12
