Garryowen Finish On A High

In all Garryowen scored eleven tries, five conversions and a penalty against Cambridge and had built up a 32-5 lead by the half-time break. Alan Kingsley kicked a penalty in the third-minute and Federico Quaglia got in for two tries before Willie Staunton took advantage of an overlap to race over in the corner in the 25th-minute. Cambridge had a spell of pressure and their number eight got in at the corner in the 30th-minute to reduce the deficit to 20-5.

It was temporary respite however as Frank McKenna and Declan Lavery both touched down to establish an unassailable interval lead for the Limerick side. The second half was one way traffic as some of the younger players began to stretch their legs. Following a great break by Anthony Kavanagh in the 45th-minute, McKenna was on his shoulder and he set left winger Niall O’Driscoll free with a long skip pass to score in the corner.

Even the introduction of all seven replacements did not seem to impact the flow. Kevin O’Riordan showed his strength to first force his way over in the corner and then cut inside to outstrip the defence for his second. In between, Kavanagh burst through in midfield to go over unopposed.

Dave Sherry showed great pace and hands to push the score out to 63-5 and the try of the game came right at the finish when right winger Lorcan Burke showed a good turn of pace to complete the scoring.

IRFU Junior Vice President John O’Callaghan visited the Garryowen dressing room after the game to thank the players and management for their efforts throughout a very intensive yet fruitful two weeks.

Earlier on the pitch he joined the circle as the Dooradoyle club’s players gave a rousing rendition of ‘Hurrah for Garryowen’ to loud applause from the large crowd.

The tournament was a tremendous boost for the amateur game. The various Unions put a lot of time and effort into this event and all sides were awarded a magnificent silver tray at the presentation in the magnificent new Stade Yves Manoir.

Hosts Languedoc-Roussillon were the outright winners, ironically the team that Garryowen beat comfortably in their opening game.
 

Garryowen Team

Willie Staunton; Lorcan Burke, Federico Quaglia, Kevin Hartigan, Niall O’Driscoll; Alan Kingsley, Dara Ryan; Rory Brosnan, Pat Humphreys, Declan Lavery, Frank McKenna, Ed Mackey, Eoghan Nihill, Barry O’Mahony, Peter Malone.
 
Replacements:
Ross Callaghan, Ben Rowley, Kevin O’Riordan, Paul Neville, Brian O’Shea, Anthony Kavanagh, David Sherry.
 

Scorers:

Tries: Federico Quaglia (2), Willie Staunton, Frank McKenna, Niall O’Driscoll, Declan Lavery, Kevin O’Riordan (2), Anthony Kavanagh, David Sherry, Lorcan Burke
Cons: Alan Kingsley 5
Pen: Alan Kingsley