Killian Keane produced another outstanding performance to inspire Garryowen to a comfortable victory over Old Crescent in Division One of the AIB league at Dooradoyle on Saturday. Keane contributed 24 of the Garryowen points and in addition gave a superb defensive display when his side came under pressure in the second half.
The winners' task was made all the easier by the failure of Old Crescent to accept some guiltedged scoring chances in the first half, during which Brian Begley missed three relatively easy shots at goal while he also had the misfortune to concede a soft try which ultimately proved his side's undoing.
Garryowen turned over leading 21-3 thanks to tries by Stephen McIvor and Joe Brooks, one of which Keane converted and he also landed three penalties.
Begley landed one out of four for Crescent, who got back in the hunt with a try by their hooker P J McLoughlin, eight minutes after the break and Begley converted.
"It was then that we needed a good defence and thankfully this time it was forthcoming," said the Garryowen coach, Philip Danaher, who was loud in his praise for the manner in which Keane marshalled his defensive forces. "It's a pity he plays his club rugby in this country," he added mischievously.
Try as they might, Crescent could make no further inroads. Begley did kick a penalty, but Keane was twice on the mark for Garryowen before he rounded off a marvellous captain's contribution with a late try which he converted himself.
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