U.L. Bohes win Munster Junior Cup

It might have taken 77 years since the club last won the title but the sweetly taken drop goal four minutes into stoppage time, at Annacotty, by Fergal Lawler will long be remembered by UL Bohemian supporters who celebrated their Munster Junior Cup win against Garryowen long into the night.

UL Bohemian 19, Garryowen 16

It was a glorious occasion for the winners who had a boost four hours before kick-off when they won the toss for home venue after Gardai had suggested it would be unwise from a traffic viewpoint to play at Rosbrien where they are continuing their investigations into last week’s murder in the city.

But after 20 minutes home advantage did not count for too much as Garryowen built up a ten point lead.

On their first foray into their opponents half Gerry Hurley was prominent when after a couple of drives were held up, prop Rob Laffan got in for a try which Hurley converted.

That came after seven minutes and a penalty by Hurley midway in the half left the home side facing a mountain to clim.

But a great cross-kick by Aidan McNulty was not dealt with properly by a Garryowen defender after 22 minutes and the outstanding Kevin Bracken pounced for a try in the corner which McNulty superbly converted and he then added a 29th minute penalty to tie the game.

Two minutes later a Hurley penalty edged Garryowen back in front 13-10 at the interval. McNulty landed a penalty on the hour for UL Bohemian who went in front with a superb drop goal from near halfway four minutes later to have his side in front for the first time.

In the 78th minute Alan Kingsley dropped a goal for Garryowen and just when a replay seemed like came Lawler’s dramatic late winner.

UL Bohemian were by far the better behind the scrum and McNulty, Fergal Lawler and Dave Moloney wee outstanding.

Garryowen were not nearly as fluent behind the scrum but in Anthony Kavanagh they had the outstanding forward on view and Rob Laffan and David Sherry gave great support.

The win sparked off intense jubilation for UL Bohemian supporters and it rounded off a great week-end with theie under 20’s retaining their All Ireland title and the losing bonus point secured against Shannon ensured they will be in the top echelon eight in the AIL next season.

Scorers Garryowen:R Laffan try, G Hurley con, 2 pens, A Kingsley drp gl.
U.L. Bohemian: K Bracken try, A McNulty con, 2 pens, drp gl, F Lawler drp gl.

UL Bohemian: M Butler; D Moloney, R Butler, N Lutman, A McNulty; F Lawler, C Sheridan; G Walsh, (P O’Regan, 53), B Duggan, R Feeney; C Dolphin, A Hartigan; C O’Neill, F Crosse, (R Hartigan, 60mins), K Bracken.

Garryowen: A Burke; K O’Riordan, F Quaglia, M Roberts, (A McNamara, 77), R O’Mahony; A Kingsley, G Hurley (C Murray, 75); B McNamara, K Buckley, R Laffan; A McCloskey, M McEvoy; B Sheehan, (D Mulcair, 67), A Kavanagh, D Sherry.

Referee: W O’Connor (MAR).