Preview | Bank Of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup Final

15th January 2018 By Eolan Allen

The Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup final pits two of Limerick’s traditional rivals, UL Bohemian and Garryowen, against one another this Friday 19 January at Markets Field (kick-off 7.30pm).

The two clubs have met only once in the final before with Garryowen emerging victorious in 1926.

UL Bohemian will be aiming to bridge a 56-year gap and claim the trophy for the fifth time in their illustrious history.

They take on Garryowen; who lead the role of honours list and will hope to bring their tally of Cup successes to 39 and whoever wins will break the stranglehold of Cork Constitution who won the previous five finals.

Both sides have had to come through some tight battles to get to this stage. UL Bohs’ had to overcome sides from each of the three Division Two Leagues.

They opened up their campaign against Nenagh Ormond. The sides played the previous week in the Limerick Charity Cup with the Tipperary club emerging victorious. UL Bohs’ were eager for a different result and 13 points by Robbie Bourke helped the Limerick side win out 18-13; with Joe Murray also scoring a crucial try.

In the quarter-finals they faced Old Crescent. Both sides are noted for playing open attacking rugby and the game didn’t disappoint under lights at Rosbrien. Old Crescent got off to a strong start to go 12-3 in front; but UL Bohs’ fought back with the impressive Harry Fleming racing in for two tries. Aidan Enright followed up but Crescent fought back and trailed only by a point going into the final five minutes but Bohs’ were crucially awarded a penalty try to secure their path to the semi-finals.

Bruff were the opposition in the last four and it proved to be the most straightforward of their ties as they won out 22-8. First-half tries by Mark Bromell and James Ryan put them in a strong position with Shane Scannell wrapping up the game in the second-half as he touched down while Mike Mullally kicked seven points.

Garryowen had two games to reach this stage; but they certainly earned their place having knocked out two other Division 1A sides. First up was an enthralling local derby against Young Munster. Neil Cronin was the star-man for the Light Blues, scoring all of his sides point. His try half an hour in was crucial; but so was his accurate kicking as he knocked over 14 points with the boot to help his side to a 19-16; with the wining penalty coming right at the death in a dramatic finish.

Even more impressively in the semi-final; they finally ended Cork Con’s recent dominance of the competition with a hard-fought 23-14 victory. Cronin came up one-point short of his previous game’s tally; with 18 points that included a try on the hour mark that helped seal the game for Garryowen. After a tough start, James McInerney gave Garryowen the lead on 25 minutes and helped establish his side’s lead.

Form suggests we are set for another enthralling encounter between these two great rivals.