Keane the master as Garryowen see off Ballymena challenge

KILLIAN KEANE was the master craftsman of Garryowen’s sensational 36-16 AIB League victory over Ballymena at Dooradoyle on Saturday.

Keane's influence was of such magnitude that coach John Warr will attempt to move heaven and earth to persuade him to play on next season. Warr hailed his contribution to an unexpected but very welcome victory over second-placed Ballymena: "He was the major difference between the sides. Everything he did was outstanding and I intend to ask him again and again not to retire."

Keane's influence, according to Warr, could benefit the light blues hugely as they attempt to pull themselves up by the bootlaces to the prime position they enjoyed by the club for years.

Garryowen needed a miracle even to have an outside chance of making the top four play-offs, but Warr was being realistic: "We don't have a hope. I am more concerned about the future. Without our contracted players, we decided to build a new team this season. This is for the future, not for this season, although we would take anything that came our way.

"It's a pity because I know that if we did make the knock-out stages we would be capable of competing strongly for the title.

"Essentially, however, this is a very young team and I am encouraged by the progress they have made. A guy like Killian, with a wealth of experience, could be just what we need for next season."

For the moment, Warr is extremely happy at toppling Ballymena and at having picked up a bonus point.

"It's nice to get a win against one of the top four teams. We led both Clontarf and Lansdowne at various stages of our games earlier in the season but lost both by narrow margins.

"The guys went out against Ballymena to prove to themselves that they could take on the big boys and beat them," said Warr. "It was a very

satisfying victory."

So it was.

Ballymena started well but were quickly brought to heel by Keane who kicked penalties in the seventh and 11th minutes.

John O'Sullivan ploughed over for a 15th minute try and, if Garryowen should have been shocked to lose six of that 11-point advantage to two Rob Smart penalty goals the panic didn't show in the slightest.

Keane put them back in the driving seat with a penalty two minutes after the break and then Paul Neville responded with a brilliant try after Ruben Aiano had cut the margin to three with a sensational fifth minute try.

The difference here was in the kicking. From under the posts, Smart failed to convert Aiano's try while Keane brilliantly converted the response try from the touchline.

Garryowen looked comfortable at 21-16 but this game took another twist when the influential Huw Jones sent Jason Taggart in for a 17th minute try to narrow the gap to five points.

Yet Neville, brilliant throughout, hit back quickly to make it 26-16 and Garryowen finished completely on top.

Kevin O'Riordan gave them the bonus point with a fourth try the product of excellent work from Joe Brooks and Dominic Crotty. Keane kicked the conversion, again from the touchline and then kicked a 31st minute penalty.

It wasn't quite complete disaster for the Ulster side, but it was a very good day at the office for Garryowen, for Neville, for Crotty at full-back and particularly for the magnificent Keane.

Clontarf came a cropper at Deramore when Belfast Harlequins recorded a 24-15 win.

The leaders now enjoy a three-point advantage over Lansdowne and they are four points ahead of Ballymena in third place.

Lansdowne kept the pressure on with a facile 40-3 victory over Dungannon and it's all to play for between the two top teams who finish off the 15-match programme with games against both Galwegian's and St Mary's College in the next couple of weeks.

Galwegians, fighting hard for a place in the top four, could well have a major say in the matter for either of the clubs.

Cork Con had a 25-17 win over Terenure and, in the process, confirmed the Dublin team's relegation to Division 2 next season.

The win also gives Con a slender hope of top four qualification, but they will need a minor miracle to achieve it.

There was drama too at the other end of the table where County Carlow and UL Bohemians still run neck and neck in a bid to avoid relegation.

Bohemians deservedly won their game against St Mary's but hopes of overtaking Carlow were dashed when UCD fell heavily at Oak Park.