Captain Neville hails 13-man Garryowen’s heroics

Garryowen captain Paul Neville paid tribute to his side’s defensive efforts after Saturday’s Bateman Cup final victory at Templeville Road.

The Limerick side were reduced to 13 men just before half-time when Declan Lavery and Corey Hircock were sin-binned within 30 seconds of one another. Two penalties from Luke Marshall edged Ballymena 6-5 ahead at the break, after Garryowen’s Neil Cronin scored a superb charge-down try.

But despite their numerical disadvantage, Garryowen started the second-half is superb fashion and were boosted when Ballymena flanker Ross Hackney picked up a yellow card. Alan Gaughan crashed over in the corner to restore the Munster men’s advantage as their defence held firm against theBallymena onslaught.