Garryowen eye the double

Clontarf 15 Garryowen 28

Garryowen have an AIB League and Cup double in their sights today after coming from behind to beat Clontarf in a cracking Division One semi-final at Castle Avenue this afternoon.

While ending the north Dubliners’ league campaign, the defeat also sadly marked coach Phil Werahiko’s last match after six years in charge of ‘Tarf.

The hosts looked nicely poised, leading 15-3 heading towards half-time.

Two Derek Keane tries had put ‘Tarf in control. Garryowen captain Paul Neville then pounced for an unconverted try to reduce the arrears.

Further Garryowen tries followed in the second period with hooker Damien Varley and scrum half Gerry Hurley both scoring. Munster out-half Eoghan Hickey kicked 13 points for the victors, who will take on table-toppers Cork Constitution in next Saturday’s final at Musgrave Park.

Having made the play-offs for the fifth time in the past six seasons, ‘Tarf had an ideal chance to avenge their recent league defeat to the Limerick side at the same venue.

But Garryowen are quickly becoming a bogey team for ‘Tarf - today’s reversal is the north Dublin club’s third straight loss at home to Paul Cunningham’s charges.

Still, with a winger boasting the finishing skills of Derek Keane, the home side always stood a chance. The burly Keane notched his first try 12 minutes in.

The unrelated Conal Keane missed the conversion attempt but he did tag on a 26th-minute penalty, cancelling out Hickey’s first penalty, to move Werahiko’s men 8-3 clear.

An excellent reverse pass from Daragh O’Shea put winger Keane charging over for his second try, four minutes before the break, with Conal Keane converting.

15-3 in front against the recently crowned AIB Cup champions, ‘Tarf were looking strong but their challenge suddenly faltered in a ten-minute spell, either side of half-time.

First, Garryowen mauled their skipper Neville over for a try in first half injury-time, which Hickey just failed to convert. Five minutes after the resumption, persistent pressure paid off for the Garryowen pack as hooker Varley crossed the hosts’ whitewash.

Hickey made no mistake with his conversion attempt to draw the sides level at 15-15. ‘Tarf tried desperately to bounce back but the fact that they failed to score in the entire second half owes much to Garryowen’s superb defence and ownership of the ball.

Hickey sent over his second penalty of the afternoon and then wily scrum half Hurley sniped over for a telling try. Hickey’s conversion had Garryowen ten points clear and cruising.

Another penalty from the recent London Irish signing eased the Dooradoyle residents to what was only their third win in seven play-off games - they were beaten finalists back in 1998 and 1999.

Scorers:

Clontarf: Tries: Derek Keane 2; Con: Conal Keane; Pen: Conal Keane

Garryowen: Tries: Paul Neville, Damien Varley, Gerry Hurley; Cons: Eoghan Hickey 2; Pens: Eoghan Hickey 3