UL-Bohemian earn their first win of the AIL season

UL-BOHEMIAN boosted their hopes of staying in Division 2A of the All-Ireland League with a thrilling 20-17 win over MU Barnhall at the University of Limerick's North Campus on Saturday.

The Red Robins crossed for three tries in what was their first victory of the season and the division's bottom-placed side now sit just two points off second-from-bottom in the table, Dolphin.

UL-Bohs started the game slowly with Barnhall going over for their first try in the second minute. Sean Higgins beat a couple of defenders before passing to Conor Lacey and the pacy winger eased into the corner. 

A swift response was needed and that's exactly what the home side provided. Harry Byrne's high kick into the wind wasn't dealt with by the Barnhall defence. Eoin Sweeney pounced and a patient build up eventually saw James Burton touch down from close range.

Bohs were doing well playing into a gale and a well timed Byrne kick through nearly caught the Barnhall defence but Conor Duggan got to the ball just before Sean Madden. Duggan then darted away and ran in from halfway unopposed. Adam Chester nailed the conversion from straight in front to see Barnhall into a 12-5 advantage after 14 minutes.

Again, Bohs again responded almost immediately. A scrum penalty saw Bohs deep into Barnhall territory and following a lineout maul, Kieran O'Shea peeled off and powered over from 10 metres for their second try that Byrne converted to level the game at half-time.

Conditions worsened when the game resumed but Bohs were quick out of the traps to edge in front for the first time by virtue of a Byrne penalty.

That lead was soon at eight points when another Bohs lineout maul saw O'Shea burrow over for his second try. Lacey got Barnhall's third try in the final quarter but the game finished with Bohs pushing for the try bonus point. Several darts towards the line came up short and the Red Robins had to settle for a 20-17 win. 

UL-BOHEMIAN: Darragh O’Gorman; Jamie McNamara, Paul Clancy, Rory White, Sean Madden; Harry Byrne, Alan Kiely; Pauric Nesbitt, Kieran O’Shea, James Burton; David Kinane, Pauric Galvin; Ian Condell, Richard Wallace, Eoin Sweeney. Replacements: Eoin Sweeney, Tom Cullen, Stephen Hayes, Mike McMahon, Ronan Deegan, Ihechi Oji

MU BARNHALL: Conor Duggan; Sean Wafer, Sean Higgins, Darren Hudson, Conor Lacey; Adam Chester, Rob Holt; Geoff Brooks, Cathal Duff, Darragh Bellanova; Shane Sweeney, Arrie O’Neill; Fergus Stanley, Abdul Olaosebikan, Shane Stokes.Replacements: Gareth Murray, Conor Turley, Jack Hanley, Conor Neville, Jack Hannon.

REFEREE: Jason Cairns (IRFU)