Win gives Garryowen second home play-off spot

Garryowen 26 Blackrock College 20

Young scrum-half Gerry Hurley ensured a home semi-final spot for Garryowen at Dooradoyle today – scoring 21 points in their 26-20 Division One defeat of mid-table Blackrock.

The man-of-the-match – who already in recent weeks proved a match-winner for the second-placed Limerick side against UCD and Cork Con – kicked Garryowen into a fifth minute lead.

He then beat two would-be tacklers five minutes later in a scorching 25-metre dart to the ‘Rock line, converting his own try for a 10-0 home buffer.

Former Garryowen fly-half Conor Kilroy reduced the deficit to 10-6 with penalties on 19 and 23 minutes, but Hurley was not to be outdone.

The scrum-half quickly tagged on his second penalty before setting up Pat Humphries for a well-taken 34th-minute try.

20-6 up at the break, Garryowen did allow ‘Rock to maul their way back into contention.

Hurley kicked a 53rd-minute penalty before his opposite number Antonio Pinto sent winger John Hearty crashing over in the corner on 66 minutes for Kilroy to convert.

‘Rock made it even tighter eight minutes later when number 8 Shane Madigan pounced over off a maul move for Kilroy to again convert, and made it 23-20 in Garryowen’s favour.

Who else but man-of-the-match Hurley to be on hand then in injury time to ensure victory for the light Blues – kicking his fourth penalty from 30 metres out.