Starlet O’Donnell injured but UL Bohs dig out win

THERE’S a youthful look about the current UL Bohemian team, but there was also maturity in the way~ they won a deserved 14-6 opening day AIB League victory over Galwegians at rain-swept Annacotty on Saturday.

Among the youthful brood is highly rated back row Tommy O’Donnell, who had to retire after just 15 minutes with a “stinger”.

O’Donnell is tipped for the top as Munster seek to unearth new back row forwards to replace some of those who have starred in Europe over the years.

O’Donnell is a member of the Munster Academy but at 21, while he wants a full-time career with Munster, he is prepared to wait for his opportunity.

Capped for Ireland at under-20 level, O’Donnell says: “You set personal goals in addition to the ones that are already set for you. It’s demanding but exciting.

“The focus in the Academy is to prepare you for professional rugby; you’ve got to work hard, I’m happy to push those boundaries as far as I can.”

UL Bohs coach Ian Costello is in no doubt O’Donnell has a bright future.

“I think he is capable of it, no doubt, he has the talent and his attitude really impresses me; it’s better than anything I’ve ever come across. If we do 100 sessions in a year, he will train harder in the gym and try to play harder on the pitch than anyone else.

“He’s a very highly motivated guy who I believe has enough talent to play right across the back row; where he will actually end up, six, seven or eight, I don’t quite know.”

As for Saturday, Costello was pleased with the outcome but admitted that a first half try by James O’Neill, converted by Fergal Lawlor, was a huge bonus in helping secure the points.

Cormac O’Beirne cut the gap with a penalty but a second half try in the opening minute from Chris Delooze, also converted by Lawlor, was enough to steer them home. Galwegians’ only other score came through a second penalty from O’Beirne.

“It was tough playing into that wind,” said O’Donnell. “But the try came at a perfect time for us. We were under pressure but took advantage of a breakaway move to get on the scoreboard. We had two chances in the second half and took one; psychologically that was another big boost.”

The changed circumstances of the AIB League — the top eight from 16 teams will form what will effectively be a premier division next season — is uppermost in the minds of every coach. Costello said: “We finished seventh and felt that was a disaster. People might be patting us on the back if we finish seventh this year. Seriously, our ambitions are top four, we slipped up last year, we had a run after Christmas where we had nine players injured and lost three games on the bounce. That was the end of our season effectively.”

UL BOHEMIAN: E. Torrie, M. McPhail (capt), G. Boland, M. Kinsella, D. Moloney, F. Lawlor, C. Delooze, K. Flanagan, S. Henry, M. Storey, B. Madigan, D. Foley, T. O’Donnell, J. O’Neill, T. O’Donnell.

Replacements: A. McNulty for O’Donnell (15).

GALWEGIANS: R. O’Beirne, J. Cleary, C. Rogers, C. Briggs, B. Murphy, C. O’Beirne, B. Draper, J. Stephens, A. O’Sullivan, J. Lyne, D. Nolan, B. McClear, I. Muldoon, L. Scahill, N. McCarthy.

Referee: A. Rolland (Leinster).