Young Munster strike at the death to overcome Garryowen in dramatic All-Ireland League derby clash

A LATE, late penalty from Julian Lesczynski gave Young Munster a dramatic 25-24 Limerick derby victory over Garryowen, to breathe life into their AIL Division 1A play-off hopes.

The result, which saw the Cookies bag four tries to claim an important bonus point, came after 80-plus minutes of enthralling rugby at Tom Clifford Park.

Garryowen head for the Christmas break with just a single victory from their opening 9 fixtures, secured over Lansdowne in round one, last September. They will feel that this one was truly snatched from them, after Dylan Hicks converted his own try to put them in a winning position in the final quarter.

Munsters sit in sixth place in the top flight table, just four points off the semi-finals. In contrast. Garryowen are firmly rooted to the foot of the table and are facing into a relegation battle in the New Year.

The Light Blues are eight points off eighth-placed City of Armagh and five points behind ninth-placed UCD.

In a well-attended fixture, the game was only 90-seconds old when speedy winger Oisin Pepper raced over for the opening score – dotting down in the corner after Stephen Lyons fed him with a pass.

Despite their poor form, Garryowen were composed and Hicks opened their account with a 10th minute penalty, after the hosts were caught offside.

Exciting Bryan Fitzgerald worked some toughline magic with Ronan Quinn, running in his sides first try from inside the 22 meter line. Hicks ensured a 10-5 lead for the visitors.

There was a sin-binning for Munsters Samson Seinafo, after both sets of players became embroiled in handbags after a penalty was awarded. Despite their numerical disadvantage, Munsters dominated from here to the interval.

They would level as that ten minutes drew to a close, with Tom Goggin powering over from a close-range maul.

The third quarter looked to be scoreless, until Ruadhan Quinn’s determination saw him block down a clearing kick and convert from close range. However, resilient Garryowen replied, again it was the exciting Fitzgerald who applied the finish, bulldozing his way over after a series of patient phases.

The same player was involved alongside Hicks for their third try, neat passing bamboozled the defence before Cork native Hicks went in under the posts. Now leading 24-17, Garryowen could smell a victory.

However, there was more drama, in the final ten minutes. Having been awarded just one penalty in the previous 30, Ger Slattery’s men were given four down the closing stretch.

One of those was for Fitzgerald, who was binned for what was deemed a high tackle. Immediately following this, Stephen McLoughlin crossed the whitewash, with referee Christopher Lough consulting with his assistant before awarding the try.

Despite missing the kick, Young Munster had the momentum, and in the closing stages, he was able to convert a penalty from nearing 40 meters to claim the victory.

These sides head for the Christmas break with the reverse fixture in Dooradoyle, on Saturday January 11, the first order of business in 2025.

SCORERS: Young Munster: Tries: Oisin Pepper, Tom Goggin, Ruadhan Quinn, Stephen McLoughlin. Con: Julian Lesczynski, Pen: Julian Lesczynski. Garryowen: Tries: Bryan Fitzgerald (2), Dylan Hicks; Con: Dylan Hicks (3); Pen: Dylan Hicks

YOUNG MUNSTER: Stephen Lyons;  Hubert Gilvarry; Shane O’Leary, Samson Seinafo; Oisin Pepper; Julian Lesczynski; Jake O’Riordan; David Begley, Stephen McLoughlin (C), Conor Bartley, Tom Goggin, Sean Rigney, Fintan Coleman, Bailey Faloon.
 Replacements: Aaron Roulston, Paul Allen, Oran O’Reilly, James Horrigan, Donnacha O’Callaghan, Manuel Covella.

GARRYOWEN: Kelvin Langan; Neil Cronin, Bryan Fitzgerald (JC), Jack Delaney, Ronan Quinn; Dylan Hicks, Jack Oliver; George Hadden, Lars Linnenbank, Ronan Foxe, Finn McCall, Kevin Seymour, Rory Woods; Des Fitzgerald, Donnacha Byrne (JC).
 Replacements: Dara Phelan, Oisin Kearney, Mikey Veale, Visiano Vaohea, Tom Woods, Josh Boland.

REFEREE: Christopher Lough (IRFU)