Clonakilty clash a first for Garryowen

ONE for the rugby fans and history buffs in Dooradoyle this afternoon when Clonakilty and Garryowen clash in the AIB Cup semi-final (2.30pm).

Sat, 31 Mar, 2007 - 01:00

Colm O’Connor

Amazingly, it is the first time the two have met in either the AIB-sponsored league or the cup competition.

Their last meeting was a Munster League affair in 2004 when Garryowen won 30-8.

Clonakilty, the only division two side competing in the cup, surprised Terenure College with a 22-31 win in the quarter-finals, while Garryowen secured their place with a three-point win over St Mary’s College.

Currently third in AIL Division Two, Clonakilty have won three, drawn one and lost one of their league fixtures against Munster clubs.

They qualified for the cup as one of five clubs to progress past the second round of this season’s Munster Senior Cup and they beat Greystones 8-0 in the first round at Shannonvale on January 13.

Garryowen, who are fifth in the division one table, reached the semi-final after beating Buccaneers 16-13 in the cup’s first round.

They also reached the semi-finals of the inaugural cup last year and on that occasion lost 23-14 at home to St Mary’s College.

Clonakilty and Garryowen are two of the three Munster clubs competing in the AIB Cup semi-finals today, as Shannon travel to Deramore Park to take on Belfast Harlequins. The final will be played on Saturday April 14 at Dubarry Park in Athlone.

Meanwhile the Ireland U18 team to play Georgia U18 in the FIRA-AER U18 European Championships in Dax, France tomorrow was announced yesterday.

IRELAND U18: J O’Brien, (Connemara), D McIlwaine, (Larne), E Sheridan, (Navan) Captain, E Conran, (Naas), C Brady, (Kilkenny), R Stynes, (Carlow), C Mulchrone, (Wilmslow) , J Robinson, (Corinthians), P Molloy, (Waterpark), C Higgins, (Ballinasloe), M Lenihan, (Mallow), M Flanagan, (Mullingar), J Dever, (Tallaght), S Dougall, (Newcastle Falcolns), D Murphy, (Galwegians).

Replacements: G Duffy, (Sundays Well), J East , (Sligo), J Mac Manus, (London Irish), C Armstrong, (Penzance), L Carpenter, (Westport), S Mc Kimm, (RGS High Wycombe), A Kennedy, (Buccaneers), N Earls , (Wicklow), C Ingall, (London Wasps), D Barnes, (Tralee), A O’Connell, (Corinthians).