Danaher happy to get points

With a satisfactory ending to a productive January, Garryowen could look with renewed confidence to the difficult, closing stage…

With a satisfactory ending to a productive January, Garryowen could look with renewed confidence to the difficult, closing stage of their AIB League campaign. Effectively, that was how the Limerick visitors viewed this challenge at Castle Avenue on Saturday.

In truth, the nature of the win didn't encourage closer examination. After a sparkling first half, they were fortunate to escape with both points in a rousing and somewhat controversial finish.

Eventually, the result hinged on one kick which required Richard Murphy to repeat a successful, earlier effort. In the 39th minute, the Clontarf out-half landed an excellent penalty goal with his left boot from the 25 and close to the left touchline.

Now, from a similar position at the far end of the pitch and with the last kick of the match, he needed comparable accuracy with a conversion attempt if Clontarf were to grab the draw their second-half determination deserved. Sadly for them, the ball was always heading wide of the near upright.

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"Looking towards matches against Shannon, Cork Con and St Mary's, we're happy to have taken the two points," said Garryowen coach Philip Danaher afterwards. "There were a lot of errors out there, but the difficult conditions of recent weeks doesn't prepare you for much else."

So, it was left to Clontarf to speculate on what might have been. For instance, there was the clear possibility of victory, had Murphy shot for goal from an eminently kickable penalty midway through the second half. And there was the question as to whether they might have been awarded a late, penalty try.

That latter point was prompted by the fact that Garryowen prop Gavin Walsh was sent off in the 75th minute for repeated transgressions. This happened at a time when Clontarf were forcing, without success, a series of scrums close to the Garryowen line.

Eventually, the home side achieved their breakthrough in the fifth minute of lost time when replacement prop, Rob Benson, went over near the left corner. It had taken a forward to show the way.

"I felt we should have got a penalty try before that," said Clontarf coach, Brent Pope, afterwards. "A draw would probably have been a fair result and my only hope now is that we don't have cause to regret what I would consider a dropped point."

Pope felt that Clontarf did appreciably better in the second half. Certainly the scrum was admirable and there was an abundance of determination, especially up front. But in slipping back towards the threat of relegation, they lacked the skill and tactical awareness to capitalise on undoubted, winning opportunities.

Meanwhile, Garryowen gave the clear impression of having much more to offer if the occasion demanded, particularly from skilful backs like Dominic Crotty, Killian Keane and Steve McIvor. Greater effort will certainly be needed in two weeks, against Shannon.

Scoring sequence: 5 mins: K Keane (Garryowen) pen goal (0-3); 10: R Murphy (Clontarf) pen goal (3-3); 17: C Kilroy try (3-11); 27: P Humphries try (3-16); 30 mins - Murphy pen goal 6-16; 39: Murphy pen goal 9-16; 85: R Benson try (14-16).

Clontarf: M Woods; R Noble, M Smith, N Barry, M Fitzsimons; R Murphy, R O'Reilly; T Hanningan, B Jackman, P McQuillan, M Coughlan, C Power, A Dignam, C Brownlie, P Ward. Replacements: M Meredith for Power (62 mins), R Benson for Hannigan (70).

Garryowen: D Crotty; J Clarke, K Keane, J Brooks, C Kilroy; B Everitt, S McIvor; P Spain, P Humphries, G Walsh, S Leahy, V Humphreys, P Hogan, D Wallace, A Bermingham. Replacements: L Ronan for Spain (65 mins).

Referee: D Napier (USR).