UL Bohemians are staying up in AIL Division 2A as a stirring second half saw them edge out a gutsy Dungannon by 20-16. 

It had looked like mission impossible at the break but this remarkable eighty minutes showcasing the AIL’s undoubted drama and potential for nail-biting!

Although the hosts named Ireland underage international Evan O’Connell at lock, Dungannon clinically steered the tie in their direction despite trailing to a Harry Byrne penalty ten minutes in.

McCaughey swiftly levelled the scores with his first strike before a strong visiting scrum earned him a second striking opportunity, one he successfully took to edge Dungannon 3-6 ahead.

The promotion-chasers had their opponents on the ropes and just on the quarter-match mark, landed a potentially knockout blow. 

Another scrum penalty, this time was kicked to touch, the lineout executed well which allowed an unstoppable maul, lock James McMahon the man with the game’s first crucial five-pointer, McCaughey accurate again for a seven-point score.

With the Limerick crowd desolate, McCaughey added further woe to the forefront of fans’ minds with his third penalty, leaving Dungannon in control at half time.

However, the Annacotty faithful had a miraculously, if jittery, second half recovery to savour!

Within three minutes of the restart, Bohs were banging the door to the tryline down, eventually bursting through courtesy of Alan Kiely’s sniping burst, Byrne’s conversion hauling them to within six, and more importantly, one try.

Dungannon, besieged by pressure, wilted when the hosts scored a quickfire second try.  It mirrored the first half away move, a cool, calm lineout met by a powerful maul, the player to dot down as yet an unconfirmed hero!

Byrne’s heroic composure with the boot was being celebrated to the rafters though, the fly half demonstrating immense calm to slot the critical conversion which nudged Bohs back in front.

There had been a huge momentum swing and visiting flanker Stephen Todd was sent to the sin bin.

Summing up their second half however, was the very last play before they were restored to fifteen, Dungannon found them reduced to fourteen again, Cameron Steenson this time shown yellow.

Unable to get anything going, Bohs went for the jugular but despite coming short of a third try due to Dungannon’s resilient efforts, a Byrne penalty two minutes from time meant they had all it to do at the other end.

Their last attacking lineout was successfully taken but immediately the ball was turned over to spark the ultimate contrast of emotions.

Jubilance for the home players, leaping delightedly into each other’s embraces, crushing dejection for Dungannon given their thirteen-point interval lead. 

But given the tragic loss of Senior Coach Billy Brown, just two weeks ago today, they should be commended for such a fine playoff performance at all. 

UL Bohemians are staying up in AIL Division 2A, rescued by a surreal second half, seventeen unanswered points and Limerick will, for sure, be out partying to celebrate tonight.