February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Mark Jones
DUBLIN — Garryowen and Cork Constitution continued Munster’s dominance of rugby’s All Ireland League when both clubs qualified for Saturday’s final at Lansdowne Road. Garryowen, who have won the title twice before, clawed back a 17-0 deficit to pull off a dramatic 19-17 victory over St. Mary’s at Dooradoyle. Playing for the entire second half with 14 men after prop Kieran Ronan had been sent off for a stamping offense, the Limerick side fought their way back into contention and an 80th-minute penalty by captain Killian Keane sealed the issue.
Constitution, winners of the inaugural League back in 1991, took time to get into their stride against Buccaneers. However, an impressive second-half performance saw the Corkmen run out deserved victors by 32-20 at Temple Hill.
John O’Driscoll, John Kelly and David O’Brien all scored tries and Ronan O’Gara kicked 17 points to end Buccaneers dream of becoming the first Connacht team to make the final.