UCC Triumph Thanks To Late Rally
A stunned Galwegians were left ruing missed opportunities at Crowley Park on Saturday as two late converted tries saw UCC collect a smash-and-grab 19-11 win.
AIB LEAGUE: DIVISION 1B: Saturday, October 24
GALWEGIANS 11 UCC 19, Crowley Park
Scorers: Galwegians: Try: Liam Bibo; Pens: Mark Butler 2
UCC: Tries: Will O’Donovan, James Ryan, Brian Derham; Cons: Andrew Burke 2
The Cork students were 11-5 down with five minutes remaining, but a well-worked lineout saw number 8 James Ryan shunted over.
And then in deepest injury-time, winger Brian Derham won the race to a kick-ahead to pick off UCC’s third try of an end-to-end encounter.
Adding to ‘Wegians’ misery, former Ireland Under-20 international Andrew Burke added a superb conversion from wide out to deny the hosts’ a losing bonus point.
UCC got off to a flying start with a second minute try from prop Will O’Donovan after a ‘Wegians clearance kick was blocked down.
In-form full-back Mark Butler reduced the arrears to 5-3 for half-time, but wind-backed Galwegians could not turn their territorial advantage into points.
Kevin Tierney’s men found an extra gear or two on the resumption, with Butler kicking his second penalty and then with two UCC forwards in the sin-bin, Connacht squad member Liam Bibo dotted down for a 11-5 lead.
‘Wegians had further chances to put the game beyond UCC’s reach, but the Cork youngsters hung in there and their persistence paid off in the end.