Lynch holds nerve to kick winning score

YOUNG MUNSTER have frequently tested the nerves of their loyal fans this season, and at Stevenson Park on Saturday, normal service was maintained.

This time they almost handed victory to a disjointed Dungannon side by conceding a late try, and as the seconds ticked away they gambled on a change of kicker when awarded a difficult penalty. But centre Michael Lynch rose to the challenge superbly, clipping the ball inside the post from 35 yards with his first kick of the game.

The visitors showed typical resolve to fight back after going behind early on to a John Patterson try, crafted by a perceptive Roger Cowan break from midfield. They were soon level, thanks to the dominance of their pack with out-half Aidan O'Halloran sweeping the ball infield to centre Noel O'Meara, who scored under the posts.

Young Munster, level on league points with their opponents at the start of play, mounted a series of promising attacks, but incredibly managed to knock-on on each occasion, the most glaring mistake coming from full back Peter Boland, who chipped ahead and was about to touch down when he fumbled embarrassingly.

But Boland made up for his clanger with an excellent try 20 minutes into the second half which stretched his side's 13-10 interval lead. Dungannon, however, were never out of the hunt, and kept in touch with a McGarry penalty.

And with five minutes left they produced their first attack of real purpose for McGarry to send Ronnie Carey in for a try in the right corner to level the scores. But there was to be another twist, with Lynch called upon to take over O'Halloran's kicking role for a real pressure attempt to clinch it.