Garryowen win Limerick derby

Young Munster 14 Garryowen 21, Tom Clifford Park

Garryowen won the latest all-Limerick Ulster Bank League derby at Tom Clifford Park, but they were hard pressed to hold out in a hectic finish.

Garryowen made the perfect start with penalties by Jamie Gavin after 2 and 8 minutes respectively, and it was all of 36 minutes before scrum half Brian Haugh opened the Young Munster account with a penalty.

The Light Blues bolstered their lead to 11-3 just before the break as second row Aaron McCloskey muscled over for a try which the in-form Gavin converted.

Two minutes into the second half, Haugh kicked a second Young Munster penalty but three minutes later Garryowen were awarded a penalty try when the home side collapsed a scrum.

Gavin popped over the conversion from straight in front of the posts and then added a penalty to make it 21-6 to the division's second-placed team.

On the hour mark Munsters rallied with a try, credited to flanker Mark Rowley as the pack drove over from a maul.

Haugh then landed a penalty to secure a losing bonus point for the hosts but they were unable to threaten Garryowen's seven-point lead.

Garryowen had three players sin-binned during the game, one for a high tackle and the others for persistent offending at the breakdown.

The result sees Tom Tierney's men keep the pressure on Division 1A leaders Lansdowne, who have a two-point advantage thanks to yesterday's bonus point victory over UL Bohemians.