Garryowen put 'Rock out of play-offs

Blackrock College 25 Garryowen 34, Stradbrook

HT: Blackrock 6 Garryowen 17

Blackrock College, despite a brave 19-point haul in the second half against Garryowen, are out of the play-off hunt as five tries from the Limerick men helped them to a 34-25 success at Stradbrook this afternoon.

‘Rock, coached by former Garryowen scrum-half Stephen McIvor, will be bitterly disappointed as some sloppy defence saw them hand the visitors some easy scores in either half.

Hooker Colin Varley, who celebrated his 29th birthday last week, got in for the opener for Garryowen, who kept Blackrock to just two scores in the opening half – two penalties from the boot of full back Conor Kilroy.

Lock Francis Broderick slalomed over after quick scrum ball for his first try of the campaign on 24 minutes and Garryowen closed out the half 17-6 in front, thanks to a convert from out-half Alan Purcell and a third try from flanker Kieran Gallagher.

Gallagher nipped in for his second just after the hour mark and in between ‘Rock tries from number 10 John Walsh, who formed a good partnership at times with scrum half Antonio Pinto, and Ireland U21 centre John Hearty, but both efforts went unconverted.

Garryowen closed out the win with a try from full back Diarmuid O’Riordan, which sees them up to seventh, and is their fifth consecutive win for a much-rejuvenated side.

Scorers: Blackrock: Tries: John Walsh, John Hearty; Pens: Conor Kilroy 5

Garryowen: Tries: Colin Varley, Kieran Gallagher 2, Francis Broderick, Diarmuid O’Riordan; Con: Alan Purcell 3; Pen: Jeremy Staunton