For the second week in a row Armagh first xv gained a valuable point on the road by scoring 5 tries. This week it was a journey to Limerick to play the famous Garryowen club who are steeped in rugby lore and have numerous internationals coming from their ranks with the most famous one being Keith Wood.<\/p>\n
Armagh have not got a good track record playing Garryowen and in fact have only won one game against them winning 13-6 on 5th<\/sup> October 2024. Armagh were in confident mood travelling to Limerick in the knowledge that 3 of the Garryowen team were starting in the Irish under 20 side and that they had a mixed sort of results. With Thomas Dougan injured last week James Anderson was promoted from the bench and veteran James Morton stepping up from the seconds. Mathew Hooks and Ross Taylor were not available but Cameron Cummings and Timmy Mc Neice were restored to the centre.<\/p>\n Garryowen kicked off in mild conditions and immediately put Armagh under pressure scoring in the right-hand corner. This was converted to leave Armagh7-0 down after 2 minutes.\u00a0 Further damage was done when Griffin Philipson was prevented from tackling a player as the referee missed crossing and a second converted try ensued. 7 minutes gone and the side was 14-0 down. On 10 minutes Garryowen got their third try when they simply out stripped the Armagh defence to score close to the posts. What a poor start 11 minutes gone and 21-0. A bit like the Ireland team on the previous Thursday night.<\/p>\n \u00a0 Armagh then started to play a bit and had a productive period in the Garryowen half. A lineout was well taken by John Glasgow and the pack drove on with their impressive maul. Garryowen brought it down illegally and with penalty advantage Owen O\u2019Kane spotted Andrew Willis on the wing. He collected the ball took his man out and linked up with Shea O\u2019Brien on the loop and he went in for a score. Owen was unable to convert.<\/p>\n Garryowen then were able to secure a try bonus when their winger went in for their fourth try which should not have been given as there was a clear forward pass from their out half to the right wing where he squeezed in at the corner. 25 minutes gone 26-5 down. Shortly after a missed tackle allowed another try under the posts which was converted. Fair play to the Armagh lads though when they bounced back with a try of their own. Timmy Mc Niece rang a lovely line to touch down beside the posts. Owen O\u2019Kane tapped over the conversion to reduce the scores.<\/p>\n \u00a0Towards the end of the half, Owen had a tremendous 50-22 and Armagh won a good line out and drove towards the line. Garryowen knocked on and from the scrum Armagh went close. With Garryowen under a bit of pressure, Armagh went for a series of drives towards the Garryowen line. The backs went left and some good interplay between Cummings and O\u2019Kane created a bit of space for Josh Cunningham to dive over in the corner.<\/p>\n Armagh were back in the game now as the referee blew for half time. Score Garryowen 33 City of Armagh 17.<\/p>\n Phil Fletcher came on at this point, but when Armagh were penalised for off side from a knock on, Garryowen kicked for the corner. Armagh were caught sleeping at the front of the lineout and the big flanker went in for a soft score. 38-17. With Armagh now getting on the wrong side of the referee, another penalty was kicked t the corner. The lineout was won and they drove for the line. Amid all the confusion there was some doubt whether the ball was grounded but the try was awarded.48-17.<\/p>\n Armagh could have been facing a real drubbing at this stage, but they brought on fresh legs in Connor Neary and Matty Monaghan who replaced the injured Mc Neice. A rare Armagh penalty was kicked into the corner, but Armagh were penalised for leaving the lineout. They could not capitalise on this but still stuck at it and were awarded a 4th<\/sup> try through Johnny Morton.48-22. Garryowen got back into Armagh\u2019s 22 with a couple of penalties, but good defence kept the score the same.<\/p>\n \u00a0Armagh still had to scrum on their own line though but with the final subs in Danny Guy, Finn Fehnert and James Morton on now they could not do anything to stop the final Garryowen try. The game was over now but Armagh fought to the end and even at this stage James Morton got a talking to by the ref. The game got a bit scrappy, but James had the last say in the last minute when he was in the right place to score Armagh\u2019s 5th<\/sup> try. Owen converted and the referee blew the final whistle.<\/p>\n Final score Garryowen 48- Armagh 29.<\/p>\n\n\t\t