Frawley makes big impression for Bohemians
Bohemians last won the title in 1962 with a side that included greats such as Mick English and Bill Mulcahy. Now they are desperate to bridge the 50-year gap with a youthful and attack-conscious side benefiting from the coaching of Colm Tucker and former Munster players Mossie Lawler and Barry Murphy.
They had to play second fiddle for much of Saturday’s game against a Young Munster side that enjoyed an 11-0 interval lead after a try by Mike Madden and a couple of penalties by Brian Haugh.
Giant second row Frawley, who first came to notice as a key member of the Castletroy College side that won the Munster Senior Schools Cup in 2008, entered the equation when he hit the upright with a penalty soon after the restart.
Within a few minutes though, he landed two superb long-range efforts before the woodwork foiled him once again. He then stamped his authority on the game, converting a fine Darren Moroney try from the right touchline with just four minutes remaining to give his side a two-point lead they held to the end.
“I have been kicking penalties for as long as I can remember probably because of my Gaelic football background with St Patrick’s,” said Frawley, a 23 year-old student of European studies and English at UL. “I am by no means the first choice place-kicker with the club but it’s nice to be called upon when needed. I didn’t feel any great pressure. Winning the cup after such a long time would mean a lot to this club.”
UL/BOHEMIAN: D Moroney; F Ryan, M McPhail, M Lawler, R White; B Martin, T Rafferty; A Simpson, E Rossiter, G Walsh, E Kelly, D Frawley, I Condell, S Rennison, C Kindregan.
Rolling replacements: J Sutton, T Burke, N O’Brien, B Walsh, J O’Donoghue, D Farrell, R Buckley.
YOUNG MUNSTER: D Bannon; D Lespierre, M Doyle, L Kuntz, D O’Neill; G Quinn-McDonogh, B Haugh; G Flaherty, G Burke, H McGrath, M Madden, D Gallagher, C Liston, G Phelan, M Rowley.
Rolling replacements: C O’Connor, D Cantillon, P Fitzgerald, L Russell, M Prendergast, C O’Hanlon, D O’Connor.
Referee: F Butler (IRFU).