Garryowen the victors in Limerick derby

Garryowen 20 Young Munster 14

Garryowen held out for a deserved Limerick derby success as Young Munster plunged to their fifth defeat in-a-row in Ulster Bank League Division 1A.

With the match points of no major value to either side, bragging rights proved the major motivating factor at Dooradoyle in a game that was moved from the grass pitch to the astro-turf surface - the first occasion it was used for a league fixture.

Young Munster made a splendid start when their pack set up a rolling maul and hooker Ger Slattery got in for a try which full-back Derry O’Connor converted.

That score came after only six minutes but the home side hit back with a try of their own. It followed a period of constant pressure and winger Eamonn Connolly touched down with full-back Matt Jarvis converting to bring the Light Blues level.

Team captain Slattery was sin-binned in the 20th minute and for the first time Garryowen hit the front with a penalty from Jarvis and they never lost the lead.

They added a second try before the interval, this time by tighthead prop JP Cooney which his Connacht team-mate Jarvis again converted to leave it 17-7 at the break.

A superb try by lively replacement Shane O’Leary, converted by O’Connor, raised Young Munster’s hopes but Jarvis kicked a second penalty to ensure the win for Garryowen.

Scorers: Garryowen: Tries: Eamonn Connolly, JP Cooney; Cons: Matt Jarvis 2; Pens: Matt Jarvis 2

Young Munster: Tries: Ger Slattery, Shane O’Leary; Cons: Derry O’Connor 2