Garryowen made it seven AIB League wins in succession as they held a youthful UCD side in check at the Belfield Bowl on Saturday.
AIB LEAGUE: DIVISION ONE: Saturday, February 22
UCD 7 GARRYOWEN 14, Belfield Bowl
Scorers: UCD: Try: Noel Reid; Con: Noel Reid
Garryowen: Try: Conor Murray; Pens: Conor Kilroy 3
Garryowen are riding high at present, following up on their AIB Cup semi-final qualification with a win that has moved them up to second in the Division One standings.
It was one of the visitors’ younger players who stood out. Scrum half Conor Murray, fresh from helping the Ireland Under-20s beat Italy last weekend, collected a smashing try which broke UCD hearts.
Two penalty goals from the ever-reliable Conor Kilroy had Garryowen leading 6-0 at half-time. The first half was a scrappy affair with neither pack being able to stamp their authority on the game.
Kilroy punished another UCD error with his third penalty success before former Ireland underage international Noel Reid split the Garryowen defence to score a fine try.
Reid converted it himself to heap the pressure back on Garryowen and with the UCD lineout giving the home side a plentiful supply of possession, it was really anyone’s game.
Showing their experience and the sort of nerveless play which has seen them edge some tight results in recent weeks, Garryowen wrestled back control of the game thanks to Murray’s scampering score.
The tall number 9 broke through a first-up tackle and crashed over the whitewash out wide in what was the game’s deciding moment.
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