Garryowen shake off battling Cashel

Garryowen 31 Cashel 14

Three Jamie Gavin penalties between the sixth and 18th minutes had the hosts 9-0 in front before Ben Swindlehurst was on target for the visitors.

Indiscipline was proving costly for Cashel who were punished again when Gavin landed his fourth penalty.

But either side of the interval Pat O’Connor landed two penalties to leave Cashel just three in a arrears (12-9) against their illustrious counterparts.

Garryowen then grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck with a Neil Cronin try which was converted by Jamie Gavin who finished the day with 16 points.

Soon after, captain David Sherry crossed for another Garryowen try and a 24-9 lead.

A yellow card for Darren Mulcair saw Cashel capitalise with a try by former Garryowen player, Eamonn Connolly but that was as good as it got for the visitors.

A penalty try, converted by Gavin, guaranteed Garryowen a semi-final place against UL Bohemian.

Scorers for Garryowen: N Cronin, D Sherry try each, pen try, J Gavin 4 pens 2 cons.

Scorers for Cashel: E Connolly try, P O’Connor 2 pens, B Swindlehurst pen.

GARRYOWEN: J Frawley; J O’Sullivan, A O’Byrne, C Doyle, J McInerney; J Gavin, N Cronin; R Brosnan,J Mark Griffin, G McNamara; M Hanrahan, A McCloskey; J Hrstik, D Mulcaire, D Sherry. Replacements: R O’Shea, B Rowley, P McCarroll, E Fitzgerald, F McGibney, E Barry, R O’Halloran.

CASHEL: P O’Connor; E Connolly, B Silke, Z Stryffler, R Maher; B Swindlehurst, A Kelleher; J Marshall, C Ryan, M Kelly; B Crosse, S Walshe; M Crosse, E Leamy, K Murphy.

Replacements: C O’Donnell, H Stanley, C Gleeson, B O’Connor, A Barron, C Unholtz.

Referee S Kearns, MAR.