MICHAEL BENSON was the key figure in Bohemians' narrow 21-20 victory over Dolphin in the first round of the Munster Senior Cup at Thomond Park yesterday. With Dolphin leading 20-18, Benson missed three shots at goal in the closing stages of the game, before finding the target with a great kick from near the halfway line, with two minutes of stoppage time played.
It was an exciting gamer throughout. Bohemians led 10-8 at half time, with a penalty by Benson who also converted a try by Kevin Hanley against a try for Dolphin by Denis O'Dowd and a penalty by Conor Mahony.
Bohemians went further ahead 13 minutes into the second half when Hanley went over for his second try to make it 15-8 but almost immediately they threw away that advantage when gifting a try to Mahony, who also converted, to level the scoring at 15-15.
Bohemians were back in front when Benson dropped a fine goal but then came a superb try for Dolphin as Mahony made the initial break and paved the way for full back Colm McCoitir to score in the corner and put his side two points in front. Dolphin hung on desperately until Benson finally cracked them.
On Saturday, Garryowen had their expected easy victory over Highfield but, despite the 49-22 score line, it was by no means an impressive display.
The Division One side made a whole series of unforced errors and it was as well for them that Highfield, having been relegated to division three, didn't possess the flair or the commitment to take advantage.
It was a good afternoon at least for two Garryowen players winger Jack Clarke and flanker Colin Varley. Former international Clarke scored a hat-trick of tries and Varley who came into the game as a late replacement for skipper Paul Hogan, got two.
Garryowen's other try scorers were second row Shane Leahy and Pierre McNamara. Killian Keane converted four of the seven tries and also kicked two penalties.
Although rarely in the game with a serious chance, Highfield had one of the most impressive, players on view in hooker Victor Nelson. He scored one of their three tries, the others coming from Rory Cogan and John O'Neill.
In a very poor affair a Musgrave Park, it was Cork Constitution's young half backs Brian O'Meara and Ronan O'Gara who were the inspiration in their 20-8 victory over Old Crescent.
Constitution were reduced to 14, men when second row Seamus McGrath was sent off 13 minutes from the end and spent the remaining time deep in their own territory. By then the game had already drifted away from Old Crescent mainly thanks to a succession of scoring from O'Gara," and top class support work from O'Meara and centre Brian Walsh.
O'Gara kicked a first half penalty and converted Anthony Horgan's first half try. While Packie Hallissey kicked a second-half penalty, O'Gara wrecked Crescent's challenge with a try conversion and a drop goal before Dara Brehon had a consolation try for the Limerick side.
