AIL Review: UCD edge out Garryowen and move top of table

UCD may have been in free-scoring form of late in Ulster Bank League Division 1A, but they showed their ability to win a tight contest when coming from behind to defeat Garryowen 13-6 at Dooradoyle on Saturday.

Noel McNamara’s students now top the table, taking advantage of Clontarf’s draw with Lansdowne, as second- half tries from hooker Sean McNulty and scrum-half Jamie Glynn proved crucial.

UCD were unable to take advantage of a strong first-half wind, penalties from Neil Cronin giving Garryowen a 6-3 half-time buffer. Leinster’s Ross Byrne sandwiched in a place-kick for the visitors, and early pressure on the restart saw hooker McNulty pile over from a rolling maul. Glynn, a former Garryowen player, sealed the result for UCD with a 79th minute unconverted try.