UL/Bohs and UCC slip-up in battle for promotion

UL BOHEMIANS and UCC effectively lost ground in the battle for promotion from Division Two of the AIB League by playing out a 20-20 draw at Thomond Park yesterday.

UL/Bohemians 20 UCC 20

UL/Bohs are now a point behind Old Belvedere having gone into the weekend enjoying a narrow advantage with UCC a further three adrift. The Limerick side has three matches remaining, against neighbours Thomond and Young Munster at Fitzgerald Park and Clifford Park in successive weeks before what may well be the "final" when Belvedere visit Thomond Park on April 17. College are due to meet Young Munster, Thomond and Old Crescent.

A draw was just about a fair outcome to yesterday's game, which was far from a footballing classic, but was full of movement and honest endeavour.

College dominated the opening quarter, but were unable to break down a splendid Bohs defence.

And when the siege was finally lifted, Martin McPhail duly capitalised for Bohs as he took a short pass from out-half Philip Treacy and weaved his way through for a try at the posts which Cathal Garvey converted.

UCC narrowed the gap with a Barry Keeshan penalty before Bohs had their second try on 28 minutes when Anthony Hartigan rumbled over following a line-out maul. Keeshan kept College in touch with a penalty before Bohs looked good for another three points when awarded a penalty on the College 22.

However, a mild bout of fisticuffs resulted in a yellow card for Treacy and a reversal of the penalty decision which saw College scrum-half Frank Murphy set off on a spectacular 50 metre run before the ball passed through several hands before Richard Lane crossed in the corner, Keeshan adding the points with a fine kick.

The heavier UL/Bohs pack inevitably held the edge up front, but a weakness at half-back and a failure to convert several penalty goal opportunities cost them dearly. College turned over 13-12 ahead, but found themselves under considerable pressure in the opening stages of the second half. Garvey tapped over a close-range penalty for Bohs and then Mark Tuohy on the right wing finished off a smashing movement with their third try to open up a 20-13 lead.

However, College always looked dangerous when their backs were afforded a bit of space and Frank Murphy duly found a gap on 69 minutes to jink his way over for a terrific individual try that Keeshan converted top level the scoring.

There was a lot of huffing and puffing by both sides over the final 10 minutes, with College putting up a commendably resolute defence.

Ironically, neither side was happy with a share of the points that put Dublin sides Old Belvedere and Bective Rangers in the driving seat and gave hope as well to a number of other clubs close to the top of the table.

UL/BOHEMIAN: C. Garvey; M. Tuohy, K. Matthews, M. McPhail, B. Murphy; P. Treacy, A. Rees; M. Harty, G. Ryan, J. Danaher, A. Hartigan, B. Madigan, A. O'Gorman (Capt), J.E. O'Connor, J. O'Neill. Replacements: W. Leahy for Rees 51 ins; I. Costello for Tuohy 71.

UCC: R. Lane; C. Murphy, C. Quaid, J. O'Flynn, D. Fitzgerald; B. Keeshan, F. Murphy; F. Gateley, R. Quinn, V. Soden, A. Laffan, D. Ryan, S. O'Connell, D. O'Neill capt, H. O'Flynn. Replacements: N. O'Sullivan for O'Connell 60 mins; J. Rothwell for Quinn 78.

Referee: A. McKay (Ulster).