Garryowen maintain run to go top as Lansdowne slip to surprise home defeat against Munsters

Garryowen sit proudly on top of the Ulster Bank League thanks to a home victory over reigning champions St Mary’s College.

That win and a little help from arch rivals Young Munster, who toppled Lansdowne, gifted the Limerick side top spot on a dramatic weekend.

At Dooradoyle, Garryowen powered into an 18-0 lead but young flanker Shane Buckley saw yellow just before half time as they held a 15-point advantage. Garryowen conceded 10 points during his absence and ultimately had to defend an 18-13 lead before finding their feet again. Buckley came back to score a crucial second-half try.

“We are delighted to get the win,” said Sherry. “We probably weren’t at our best today but it is a huge relief to win against a team of that quality. There are six or seven teams still in the race and it is important to keep a bit of a lead. Lansdowne lost and now Young Munster and the others are back into the race.

“We now have to wait until January 5 for our next game; that’s away to Con. After the Con game we have three weeks off, then we play Lansdowne, then Con and then Lansdowne again. Those games are all going to be of huge importance.”

Garryowen enjoy a two-point cushion over Lansdowne, with Young Munster in third ahead of Constitution on points difference.

Dolphin enjoyed a 19-9 away victory over UL Bohs and they move ahead of Clontarf on points difference — the north city Dublin side defeating Old Belvedere 14-13 on Friday night.

In Division 1B, Ballynahinch continue to set the pace following a facile 55-3 win over Bruff, but Buccaneers did themselves and others a favour by toppling second placed Dublin University to narrow the points difference to two as they move into third.

There were a couple of surprises in Division 2A, not least the loss of leaders Banbridge to Old Crescent at Rosbrien and the defeat of UCC at home to lowly Queens University.

With wins for Rainey’s Old Boys, Nenagh and Naas, it is all much of the same in Division 2B except that Boyne’s surprise loss to Thomond means they drop down a place to fourth.