Garryowen upset disappointing Dolphin

AIB CUP SEMI-FINAL: Dolphin 9 Garryowen 16, Musgrave Park

Garryowen upset the odds at Musgrave Park this afternoon as they got the better of Dolphin in a hard-fought AIB Cup semi-final.

2007 champions Garryowen, who are currently bottom of AIB League Division 1A, showed their cup pedigree as half-backs Willie Staunton and Conor Murray drove them to a deserved win.

Dolphin captain Barry Keeshan and Garryowen scrum half Murray exchanged early penalties but a strong five-minute spell from the visitors, which included a converted try and drop goal from Staunton, sent the Limerick men clear at 13-3.

A well-struck drop goal from Keeshan brought it back to 13-6 for half-time but Dolphin, who have only lost two league games so far this season, struggled to maintain momentum in the second half.

Garryowen were supremely committed, with the likes of Paul Neville, Ed Mackey and Anthony Kavanagh competing for every ball.

A Murray penalty, five minutes after the resumption, made it 16-6 and it turned out to be the clinching score as disappointing Dolphin could only reply with another Keeshan penalty.

The victory, coming seven days after Garryowen's gritty league win over UL Bohs under the Thomond Park floodlights, has Paul Cunningham's men just 80 minutes away from an AIB Cup success. They will face high-flying Cork Constitution in the January 30 final at Dubarry Park.

Scorers: Dolphin: Pens: Barry Keeshan 2; Drop: Barry Keeshan

Garryowen: Try: Willie Staunton; Con: Conor Murray; Pens: Conor Murray 2; Drop: Willie Staunton