UL Bohemian make history with MJ Cup win

PLAYED before a fine attendance at Annacotty today, UL Bohemian bridged a 74-year gap when they lifted the Munster Junior Cup for the first time since 1935.

It was a thrilling encounter with the sides level on three occasions and the home side getting the crucial winning score with the very last kick of the game.

Out-half Fergal Lawlor was the Bohs hero, popping the ball between the posts after the pack had set up good territory inside the visitors' 22.

Three minutes earlier Garryowen had levelled the tie at 16-16 when out-half Alan Kingsley dropped a neat three-pointer. The final looked to be heading into extra time until Lawlor emerged as the match winner.

Garryowen led after seven minutes when Rob Laffan forced his way over after good work by the pack. Gerry Hurley added the extra two points.

The light blues increased their lead to 10-0 two minutes after Hurley was wide from a penalty attempt. Rob Laffan broke from a lineout and Alan Kingsley sent over a well judged drop goal.

UL Bohemian replied with a try by the impressive Kevin Bracken, converted by Aiden McNulty and the Bohs winger levelled the tie on 30 minutes from a penalty.

A Gerry Hurley penalty restored Garryowen's three point lead and they should have added to their advantage when they were awarded another penalty on the 22 and just a few metres to the right of the posts.

This time the Dooradoyle boys got their calls all wrong, ran the ball instead of taking the kick at goal and knocked the it forward a few metres shy of the try line.

It proved to be a costly error.

Aidan McNulty levelled the tie at 13-13 on 57 minutes and after a fine break by winger Dave Moloney, UL Bohs took the lead for the first time when McNulty edged them 16-13 in front after Garryowen were penalised at a ruck.

Andrew Bourke was wide with a Garryowen penalty from halfway but with two minutes remaining, Alan Kingsley levelled the tie once again at 16-16.

Then came the dramatic final play of the game with UL Bohs just about deserving their narrow victory.

UL Bohs: M Butler; D Moloney, R Butler, N Lutman, A McNulty; F Lawlor, C Sheridan; G Walsh, B Duggan, R Feeney; C Dolphin, A Hartigan; C O'Neill, F Cross, K Bracken. Replacements: P O'Regan for Duggan 54, P O'Regan for Walsh 50, R Hartigan for Cross 63.

Garryowen: A Burke; K O'Riordan, F Quaglea, M Roberts, R O'Mahony; A Kingsley, G Hurley; B McNamara, K Buckley, R Laffan; A McCloskey, M McEvoy; B Sheehan, A Kavanagh, D Sherry. Replacements: C Murray for Hurley 72, A McNamara for Roberts 73, D Mulcair for Sheehan 65.

Referee, Will O'Connor, MAR.