Clinical Garryowen book top flight return in All-Ireland League as UL-Bohs are relegated

CLINICAL Garryowen FC booked their return to Division 1A of the All-Ireland League at the first time of asking after securing a comprehensive 34-3 promotion play-off final victory over Old Belvedere at a sun-kissed Dooradoyle on Saturday.

However, there was no joy for the other Limerick side in All-Ireland League play-off action as UL-Bohemian were relegated to Division 2B for next season following their 35-21 Division 2A relegation play-off final defeat to Galway Corinthians at Annacotty.

Garryowen turned in a highly impressive display, both in attack and defence, when running in five tries to score a precious victory over Dublin visitors Old Belvedere.

The win ensures Munster Senior Cup champions Garryowen will return to 1A next season after spending just one season outside the top flight.

A bumper attendance, the crowd boosted by a large travelling support from Old Belveldere, enjoyed an exciting contest.

The Light Blues have been in top form since Christmas, winning eight of their last 10 regular season league fixtures, before claiming victory in their two play-off games, beginning with their 32-21 semi-final success over Old Wesley in Dublin a week ago. 

This was the third time this season that the Dooradoyle side defeated Belvo' in the league following their 20-12 win in  Limerick last October, before scoring three tries in a 28-3 victory at Ollie Campbell Park last month.

The Garryowen playing group and backroom team of Director of Rugby, John Staunton, player/attack coach Neil Cronin, head coach/defence coach Mark Butler, forward coach Neil Lucey and strength and conditioning coaches, Paudie Carey and Roisin Willis, will be delighted with the side's display in a high stakes final game of the season.

The Light Blues laid the foundation for this impressive victory in the opening half after which the home side led the visitors,  who had been commanding winners over Shannon in the semi-final a week earlier, 22-3.

After Old Blevedere's out-half David Wilkinson kicked the Dubliners into a 17th minute lead, Garryowen gained the upperhand in the play-off. Play-maker Kelvin Langan brought Garryowen level with a 20th minute try, before flanker Des Fitzgerald powered the home side into the lead, collecting possession off Neil Cronin's off-load following a clever sniping break from the scrum-half.

Langan added the conversion for 10-3 and he also added the extras to a second try for Garryowen, this time scored by Des Fitzgerald's brother and hugely influential captain Brian.

Garryowen's 14-point advantage, 17-3 was increased when winger Oran McNulty crossed for the home side's third try in the left corner. 

Trailing by 19 points at half-time, Old Belvedere needed a quick start to the second half in order to harbour genuine ambitions of staging a comeback.

However, despite enjoying a plentiful supply of possession, Belvo' were repeatedly repelled by tenacious Garryowen defence. Garryowen's tackling was terrific and ultimately the visitors failed to add to their first quarter penalty on the scoreboard.

When Garryowen managed to extricate themselves from being forced to defend, they showed their rivals just what an impressive cutting edge in attack they possessed.

Two further tries from teenage centre Gordon Wood, son of former Ireland captain Keith, and finally Jack Delaney sealed a commanding victory for the Limerick side. 

Meanwhile, UL-Bohemian will be playing their rugby in Division 2B of the energia All-Ireland League next season after suffering a 14-point relegation final defeat at home to Corinthians on Saturday.

UL-Bohemian players at full-time of their AIL Division 2A relegation play-off final defeat to Galway Corinthians at Annacotty on Saturday afternoon | Picture: Keith Wiseman 

While UL-Bohemian had finished the regular season in ninth spot in Division 2A, Galway Corinthians claimed a second-placed finish in Division 2B.

The Red, Red Robins who edged past Sligo in their play-off semi-final a week earlier in dramatic fashion led their visitors 14-12 in their decider in Annacotty. 

The Limerick side, who led 14-5 at one stage, was awarded a first half penalty try, while captain Paul Clancy created the opening with a fine break for Jake O’Riordan to score a second try under the posts. Out-half Harry Byrne added the extras.

A run of 20 unanswered points, including two converted tries and two penalties saw Corinthians take a grip on the game at 24-15.

UL-Bohs' were facing an even great task in their bid to retain their 2A status when the visitors struck for a fourth try approaching the hour mark for 14-32.

UL-Bohs did hit back with a third try from Harry Byrne, which he himself converted for 21-32. However, Corinthians, who scored four tries in all, sealed their win and promotion to Division 2A for next season, with a third penalty goal from Sean Naughton. 

DIVISION 1A PROMOTION PLAY-OFF FINAL:

SCORERS: Garryowen: Tries: Des Fitzgerald, Bryan Fitzgerald, Oran McNulty, Gordon Wood, Jack Delaney; Cons: Kelvin Langan 3; Pen: Kelvin Langan. Old Belvedere: Pen: David Wilkinson

GARRYOWEN: Colm Hogan; Colm Quilligan, Bryan Fitzgerald (capt), Gordon Wood, Oran McNulty; Kelvin Langan, Neil Cronin; George Hadden, Max Clein, Oisin Kearney, Jeronimo Ureta Saenz Peña, Cian Hurley, Des Fitzgerald, Jack Daly, Donnacha Byrne. Replacements: Dean Fanning, Mikey Veale, Sean Rennison, Kevin Seymour, Jack Oliver, Dylan Hicks, Jack Delaney, JJ O’Neill.

OLD BELVEDERE: Gavin Nugent; Jack Keating, Jayden Beckett, Joe White, Ariel Robles; David Wilkinson, Saul Fitzpatrick; Adam Howard, Calum Dowling (capt), Hugh Flood, Fionn McWey, Connor Owende, James Doyle, Tom Mulcair, Kale Thatcher. Replacements: Cian Cunningham, Hugh Hogan, Jacob Barrett, Paddy Dowling, Evan O’Boyle, Peter O’Beirne, Johnny Kiely, Hugh Reddan.

DIVISION 2A PROMOTION/RELEGATION PLAY-OFF FINAL:

SCORERS: UL Bohemian: Tries: Penalty try, Jake O’Riordan, Harry Byrne; Cons: Pen try con, Harry Byrne 2
Galway Corinthians: Tries: Finn McNulty, Orin Burke, Evan Kenny 2; Cons: Sean Naughton 3; Pens: Sean Naughton 3

UL BOHEMIAN: Darragh O’Gorman; Tadhg Walsh, Paul Clancy (capt), Keith McManus, Ihechi Oji; Harry Byrne, Jake O’Riordan; Kean Sheey, Matt Henry, Pauric Nesbitt, Padraic Galvin, Jack Foley, Sean Quirke, Ian Condell, Liam Neilan. Replacements: Tom Cullen, Kian Regan, Oliver Carmody, Stephen Hayes, Jamie Curley, Alan Kiely, Myles Lawler, Joe Johnson.

GALWAY CORINTHIANS: Orin Burke; Michéal O’Reilly, Tom Waters, John Devine, Finn McNulty; Sean Naughton, Evan Kenny; Patrick Fahy, Adam Nash, Fiachna Barrett, Rory Glynn, Bryan Walsh, Malachy Joe Gavin, Max Flynn, Mark Boyle (capt). Replacements: Max Holmes, Oisin Michel, Raymond Dufficy, Gareth Kilkelly, Patrick Flannery, Joey Tierney, Harry Rogers, Dylan Keane.