Last-minute drop goal gives Garryowen win over Shannon

AIB LEAGUE DIVISION 1A RESULT: GARRYOWEN 12 SHANNON 10

The restructured Division 1A of the AIB League got off to a dramatic start tonight as Willie Staunton’s 88th-minute drop goal steered Garryowen to a 12-10 win over champions Shannon under the Dooradoyle floodlights.

The Garryowen out-half, a younger brother of Ireland international Jeremy Staunton, coolly stroked his kick over in deepest injury-time to decide a typically hard-fought Limerick derby.

Neither side could dominate in a lacklustre first half which saw quite a lot of aimless kicking. But Garryowen scrum half Conor Murray was on target with a tenth minute penalty attempt, a kick which gave them a 3-0 interval lead.

In crisp and cold conditions, Shannon handed Munster’s Felix Jones a debut on the right wing but his forays were largely curtailed.

Shannon took their time to settle and losing influential lock Fergal Walsh to injury did not help, along with flanker Eoghan Grace’s sin-binning in the 25th minute.

But Garryowen failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage and the Colm Tucker-coached visitors drew strength from that.

Their out-half Tadhg Bennett, a hero from last season’s successful league campaign, cancelled out Murray’s second penalty success with one of his own.

The kick came after the Shannon forwards had battered away at the Garryowen line, only to be held up on a couple of occasions. Defence was on top for the most part, until tired legs gave way in the closing stages and space opened up.

Murray was able to boot Garryowen into a 9-3 lead as time ticked away. However, the Parish side kept up the pressure and they were rewarded late on when experienced number 8 David Quinlan piled over the whitewash on the end of a forward drive.

Bennett did brilliantly to convert the try from the touchline, securing a one-point advantage for the visitors who were so eager to get their title defence off to a winning start.

However, Garryowen provided the game's final twist. Staunton’s last-gasp drop goal swung it back in the home side's favour and produced roars of delight from most of the 2,000-plus crowd.

Gutsy Garryowen just shaded it in a pulsating finish which has certainly whetted appetites for more Friday night AIB League.

Scorers:

Garryowen: Pens: Conor Murray 3; Drop: Willie Staunton

Shannon: Try: David Quinlan; Con: Tadhg Bennett; Pen: Tadhg Bennett

HT: Garryowen 3 Shannon 0