Third time lucky as UL Bohs banish final blues

UL Bohemian 18 St. Mary’s College 12

In their third decider, the young UL Bohs team beat off the stiff challenge of the league runners-up.

It was a thoroughly merited win and a blessed relief to a club dogged by heartbreak on previous big occasions.

"We just had to win this one," said coach Mike Tewkesbury. "We got there at last, and it was a reward for all the effort, for the heartbreak of the past. St. Mary's are a good side and it was a tough game, but I felt we were just about the better side."

That was probably an understatement, given that his team scored the only tries of the game. Although St. Mary's launched a late challenge, they had to rely on the prodigious boot of Barry Lynn to keep them in the match.

UL Bohs captain Aidan O'Gorman's brave decision to play against the wind proved to be a masterstroke. Battling against the elements, they took their first half scoring chances to lead 10-3.

St. Mary's battled back in the second period but the Limerick side always had something in reserve.

They scored a crucial try in the 65th minute and that, remarkably, came when they were down to 14 men O'Gorman having been shown the yellow card a few minutes before.

Afterwards, the captain jokingly remarked, "they seemed to play better without me."

He paid tribute to his fellow forwards for a magnificent effort.

"Our line-out functioned very well, we took a couple of their throws and, in general, stood our ground. We knew it was going to be tough and figured they would throw everything at us in the second half. It was all about keeping focused, staying calm, and using the wind to keep us in their territory.

"Sure, there were anxious moments but you're going to have them in every game at this level. I think the better team won."

That certainly was the general opinion and there was no doubt that the pack , in particular O'Gorman, Philip van Esbeck, Brian Madigan and Gordon Ryan, set the standard.

But from nine to 15, UL Bohs also raised the bar and Ian Hanley, Colman Finn and Ben Martin were particularly conspicuous.

Martin's 20th minute try was a delight and it gave UL Bohs the confidence to overcome the elements in that first 40 minutes.

Lynn struck for the first of his penalties in the 32nd minute but Hanley's wonder-try in the third minute of injury-time was a significant boost. After excellent work by Martin and Cathal Garvey, he dived over to establish a 10-3 lead.

St. Mary's hit back with a couple of penalties from Lynn and UL Bohs had to dig deep again. John Sexton and Philip Brophy had a couple of menacing runs for the Dublin side, but Martin came to the rescue again with a 53rd minute drop goal.

When Lynn sliced a penalty wide, the title seemed destined to rest with the already crowned champions.

They made sure when Hanley galloped away for his second try and, apart from Lynn's fourth penalty, the better scoring chances fell to the winners. Sure, it was tense given the tenuous six points advantage, but this year justice was finally done.

UL BOHEMIAN: C. Garvey, I. Hanley, C. Finn, M. McPhail, K. Matthews, B. Martin, A. Rees, M. Harty, G. Ryan, M. Storey, B. Madigan, A. Hartigan, A. O'Gorman (capt, J. O'Neill, P. van Esbeck.

Replacements. J. E. O'Connor for O'Neill (66), C. O'Boyle for Rees, K. Flanagan for Storey (73).

ST MARY'S: D. Hughes, P. Brophy, J. McWeeney, C. Fifield, B. Lynn, J. Sexton, J. Kilbride, C. O'Byrne, P. Smyth, P. Coyle, J. Ellis, G. Logan, K. O'Brien, A. Copeland, G. Hickie.

Replacements. M. Donnellan for O'Brien, C. McPhillips for Fifield (40), D. Clare for Coyle (58).

Referee: S. McDowell (Ulster)

Greystones 39 Instonians 20

GREYSTONES strolled to a comfortable victory in the third division final at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

Instonians probably reached a peak in their semi-final win over Clonakilty but Greystones, the runaway title winners, proved much too good.

Greystones hit the ground running with early scores from David McKechnie and David Popplewell.

Craig Simeon got one back for Instonians, but Greystones finished the first half with a 17 points advantage, with Dan McGettigan and McKechnie scoring the tries and Warren Edwards kicking one conversion.

Instonians did their best to make a match of it. A try from Quentin Caulfield, along with a conversion and penalty from Sean Flynn cut the lead and Greystones led to just 22-15.

But Greystones had plenty left in the tank. Robert Connolly went over for a try and, after Michael Orchin struck back, the winners cut loose again in the closing stages.

McNaughton got the sixth try, which Edwards converted, and Connolly went over in injury time to give his side a merited 19 points winning margin.