Hopes fading for Old Belvedere title defence

Old Belvedere 25 Garryowen 30

Title holders Old Belvedere were beaten for the second week running as Garryowen earned a confidence-boosting 30-25 victory at Anglesea Road this afternoon.

The Light Blues stuck to their task superbly in the second half, working backs Conan Doyle, Alan Gaughan and Ronan O’Mahony over for converted tries.

Old Belvedere had struggled to use the conditions to their advantage in the opening 40 minutes, an unconverted try from centre Aidan Wynne being the highlight of a tight tussle.

Munster’s Declan Cusack landed three penalties to keep Garryowen right in the hunt, trailing by just 11-9 at the interval.

Half-backs Conal Keane and Andy Dunne supplied the rest of ‘Belvo’s points but in a free-flowing second period, the visitors managed to get on top.

Both sides looked on course to nab try-scoring bonus points as Henry Bryce and Bernard Smyth bulldozed over for the Dubliners, and Doyle, Gaughan and O’Mahony responded for the men from Limerick.

However, ‘Belvo lost their grip on the lead as the excellent Cusack slotted all three conversions to steer Garryowen to a tremendous away win.

Scorers:

Old Belvedere: Tries: Aidan Wynne, Henry Bryce, Bernard Smyth; Cons: Conal Keane, Andy Dunne; Pens: Conal Keane, Andy Dunne

Garryowen: Tries: Conan Doyle, Alan Gaughan, Ronan O’Mahony; Cons: Declan Cusack 3; Pens: Declan Cusack 3.