St Mary’s have won the Ulster Bank League after a dramatic 23-19 last-day victory over Young Munster at Templeville Road.
Young Munster played with vigour and bravery, having had winger Darragh O’Neill sent-off after six minutes for a tip tackle. The Munster team led 13-3 at the break through a Ger Slattery try and eight kicked points from Willie Staunton. Gavin Dunne got Mary’s off the mark with a penalty.
Another penalty from Staunton pushed Munster to 16-3 ahead. However, substitute Mark Sexton went over for a Mary’s try, which Dunne converted, to narrow the score to 16-10.
Yet another Staunton penalty pushed Munster to 19-10 ahead, before Dunne replied with two penalties to make it 19-16.
A late, second try from Sexton, which Dunne converted, gave Mary’s victory.
Second place Clontarf defeated Lansdowne 28-27 at the Aviva Stadium. However, Mary’s win meant Tarf had to settle for runners-up spot in the league.
Speaking after the game, St Mary’s College coach Peter Smyth said: "It’s a brilliant reward for all our volunteers who have done an incredible job here for many years.
"Young Munster played so well, especially considering they were down to 14 men for so long. A lot of credit has to go to them because they were superb.
"We’ve been on a journey for many years and it’s great that we’ve won. I’m very proud of the lads.”
Scorers:
St Mary's:
Tries: Mark Sexton 2; Cons: Gavin Dunne 2; Pens: Gavin Dunne 3
Young Munster:
Try: Ger Slattery; Con: Willie Staunton; Pens: Willie Staunton 4
St Mary's: Gavin Dunne; Darren Hudson, Stephen Grissing, Marcus O'Driscoll, Conor Hogan; Philip Brophy, Matt D'Arcy; Colm McMahon, Richie Sweeney, Rob Sweeney, Damian Hall, Stephen Bradshaw, Barry O'Flanagan, Gareth Austin, Hugh Hogan (capt).
Replacements used: Ciaran Ruddock for O'Flanagan (24 mins), Mark Sexton for O'Driscoll (49), Chris Lilly for Dunne (80+1), Barry O'Flanagan for Hall (80+3).
Young Munster: Declan Bannon; Mark Doyle, Andrew Burke, Ray Moloney, Darragh O'Neill; Willie Staunton, Brian Haugh; Ger Flaherty, Ger Slattery, Hugh McGrath, Neville Melbourne, Shane O'Neill (capt), Liam Og Murphy, James O'Neill, Mark Rowley.
Replacements used: Aaron Carroll for Haugh (54 mins), Sean Duggan for Melbourne (64), Ger Bourke for Slattery (73), Craig O'Hanlon for Moloney (76).
