Boh’s Play In Bowl

The heady days of the All Ireland League may be over since the game became professional but the competition is still an All Ireland one and gives much needed game time for players who can play to a high standard of rugby and others who have ambitions to move into the professional ranks.

Club Munster may have taken the majority of fans away to far off venues in the South of France, Italy, Scotland, England and Wales but club rugby can still muster it’s fair share of support with a number of long supporting Munster fans not being able to get match tickets for Heineken cup matches returning to their clubs.

I went to watch U/L Bohemians play UCD at the University of Limerick Bowl last Saturday and while the match wasn’t a great one the home side were happy to come away with a victory, winning by 16-8.

UL/Bohemians were able to field a strong side and they should give a good account of themselves this season.

Ed Torrie is a solid full back. This years captain Martin McPhail on the right wing is a very elusive runner and new signing Lupini Siale from Tonga, on the left wing, is a flyer and he scored a fine try.

Barry Murphy and Colman Finn formed a strong center partnership and it was good to see Barry back after a long injury lay off. He was tackled just short of the try line on one occasion and it won’t be long before he is back on the Munster side.

Chris de Looze and Fergal Lawlor combined well at halfback. I like the way Fergal gets his backs moving and he put over a sweet drop goal.

Kevin Flanagan, Frankie Leonard and Mike Storey formed a solid front row while big Brian Madigan and Anthony Hartigan got plenty of line out ball.

Tommy O’Connor, John Ed O’Connor and James O’Neill compliment each other in a good back row.

Ian Costello is Director of rugby at the club this year.

The University Bowl was a unique setting for the game and the high banking around the running track affords a perfect view of the pitch.