Belvo end run of defeats with win over Garryowen

Old Belvedere 15 Garryowen 12

Centre John Kennedy struck for two first-half tries as Old Belvedere boosted their hopes of Division 1A survival at Anglesea Road.

The victory snapped a run of seven straight league defeats for ‘Belvo, who lost 34-15 to Garryowen earlier in the campaign.

The match-winning score came from the boot of captain Daniel Riordan who slotted a late drop goal after the Light Blues had drawn level at 12 points apiece.

Andy Dunne had his troops fired up for a battling performance and they produced just that, taking a 12-9 lead into the break thanks to Kennedy’s brace.

Garryowen, the former table toppers, had lost four of their last five league games but got an early confidence boost thanks to a Matt Jarvis penalty.

But Kennedy’s finishing skills were in full effect as he hit back with two well-worked tries, the first of which was converted by winger Josh Glynn.

The visitors profited from some ‘Belvo indiscipline as Jarvis landed two more penalties, the last of which was on the stroke of half-time, to make it a three-point game.

Connacht’s Jarvis, playing at out-half, drew Garryowen level with his fourth successful penalty before his opposite number Fergal Lawlor was sin-binned.

However, Jarvis hit the post with the resulting penalty and struggling ‘Belvo set up full-back Riordan to the decisive drop goal with just three minutes to go.

Scorers:

Old Belvedere: Tries: John Kennedy 2; Con: Josh Glynn; Drop: Daniel Riordan

Garryowen: Pens: Matt Jarvis 4

HT: Old Belvedere 12 Garryowen 9