Friday Night Rugby Attracts Crowds to Club Games.

There were big crowds at both Dooradoyle and Musgrave Park on Friday night for both Ulster Bank League games with victories for both home sides.

Garryowen 25 Shannon 13.
Garryowen moved off the foot of the table with this victory over their local rivals.

A great second half revival that saw the home side come from 8-6 down at half time clinched the points.

Marcus Horan made his return to rugby after a long term injury and played fifty two minutes of the game. Garryowen hooker Mike Sherry flew back from Edinburgh when he was not needed by the Irish Wolfhounds and played a vital part in his side’s victory.

A well taken try by Stephen Kelly and a penalty from Gareth Quinn McDonogh, who had come on as a sub for the injured Tadgh Bennett after ten minutes, had the visitors 8-6 ahead at the break. Declan Cusack replied with two penalties for Garryowen.

An inspirational performance by Paul Neville lifted the Garryowen pack and tries by Alan Gaughan, Mike Sherry and Neville sealed the points for the home side. Cusack converted two of the tries.

Substitute Les Hogan scored a try for Shannon and the visitors were denied a try in injury time which would have given them a bonus point but referee Alan Lewis ruled that the ball was held up.

Scorers Garryowen: Alan Gaughan, Paul Neville, Mike Sherry tries, Declan Cusack 2 cons, 2 pens;
Shannon: Stephen Kelly, Les Hogan tries; Gareth Quinn McDonogh pen.
Garryowen: Lorcan Bourke; Alan Gaughan, Corey Hircock, Conan Doyle (capt), Ronan O'Mahony; Declan Cusack, Conor Murray; JP Cooney, Mike Sherry, Declan Lavery, Frank McKenna, Aaron McCloskey, Paul Neville, Anthony Kavanagh, David Sherry. Replacements: Barry McNamara for Cooney (67 mins), Conor Fitzgerald for D Sherry, Shane Buckley for McCloskey (both 79).
Shannon:David O'Donovan; Luke O'Dea, Mossie Lawlor, Marcus O'Driscoll, Stephen Kelly; Tadhg Bennett, Paul Rowley; Marcus Horan, Duncan Casey, Kevin Griffin, Dan Heffernan, Fergal Walsh (capt), Colm McMahon, Paddy Butler, David Quinlan. Replacements:Gareth Quinn McDonogh for Bennett (10 mins), Les Hogan for Horan, Niall O'Brien for McMahon (both 52), Richie Mullane for O'Driscoll (70).
Referee:Alan Lewis (IRFU).

Sunday’s Well 15, Highfield 3.
In a hard fought Cork derby, Sunday’s Well managed to earn a crucial win over their neighbours Highfield in an absorbing contest at Musgrave Park.

The sizable crowd at Musgrave Park were vocal throughout and while try opportunities were few and far the hits were big and hard.

Danny O’Shea was the hero for the ‘Well kicking all his side’s points. He nudged over four penalties before sealing the victory with an exquisite drop-goal in the closing minutes.

This was a big improvement by Highfield on last week’s performance against Barnhall. Their line-out was superb with John Moloney putting in a big performance on his return from injury but again they conceded numerous penalties that proved costly.

Highfield may not have been happy with referee Ed Kenny but the ‘Well were worthy winners at the finish.

Danny O’Shea put the home side ahead after ten minutes but Colin Mahony levelled before half time. O’Shea edged the ‘Well back in front after the break and in a late flourish he landed two more penalties and a drop goal in injury time.

Scorers for Sunday’s Well: D O’Shea 4 pens, drop goal.
Scorers for Highfield: C Mahony pen,
Sunday’s Well: E French; R Walters, W Devane, A Dwyer, C Spearman; D O’Shea, R Geary; M Moynihan (c), J Moynihan, J Bransfield; M Sullivan, T Selting; J Mulcahy, S Walsh, J Kidney. Replacements for Sunday’s Well: B Hanrahan for Devane 33, M Kavanagh for Selting 68, F Moynihan for M Moynihan 73, N Conneelly for Walters 78.
Highfield: A Dinan; C Bohane, D Walker, D Houlihane, D Buckley Barry; C Mahony, K Foyle; J Cronin, P Kelleher, J Carter; D Kelly, J Moloney (c); B Carroll, M Power, M Dillane.
Replacements for Highfield: J Sheehan for Dinan 8, J O’Callaghan for J Cronin 56, M Cronin for Power 59, R Martin for B Carroll and M Cummins for Foyle both 77.
Referee: E Kenny (IRFU)