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All
Ireland Plate Final Winners 2009!!!
Shannon 20 Malahide 0
After
starting the season with only 6 and 7 players attending training,
Shannon's senior ladies demonstrated just how far they have come since
those worrying days when they won the National Plate final over
Malahide.
It had been a long while since
Shannon's ladies reached a national final and from their point of view
it was worth waiting for.
In
the end it proved a comprehensive win over a valiant Malahide side with
only a converted try between the sides heading into the break. Right
from the start Shannon proved their mettle and had the Dublin outfit on
the back foot, but despite their early pressure Shannon didn't
capitalise further than their try and Malahide forced their way back
into the game. 
It was a start Shannon barely
expected when after a
little over five minutes, former International Amanda Greensmith showed
all her experience to dart over. It all came about from a well executed
pre rehearsed move off a scrum, an area that should have provided
further scores for Shannon given their dominance in that department. It
was a resolute effort from Malahide that kept Shannon at bay and had
their first centre not have spent an un scheduled 10 minutes off the
pitch for a foot trip, they may well have evened things up. It was to
prove a pivotal point in the game as Shannon used the numerical
advantage to organise themselves a bit better in defence and continued
to hold off the challenge to their line.
The second half began much
as the first finished with Malahide pushing for parity, but it was
Shannon's determination to keep their lead intact that inspired them to
increase their advantage. Their forwards made the hard yards when it
counted which paved the way for Linda Tracy to add to her earlier
conversion with a penalty. That proved a decisive score as Shannon's
confidence increased in tandem with their points tally. Soon after her
penalty, Tracy was lining up a conversion attempt when another superb
backline move came off to see Threase Heartley barge her way passed
several attempted tackles to score Shannon's second try. The fact that
the conversion was missed meant little as Shannon were now in control
in spite of Malahide's best efforts.
Try as the Dublin side might,
they just couldn't break down Shannon's defence and as time ticked away
it looked more and more like Shannon's title. Confirmation came with
the last play off the game when an attempted clearance was blocked down
by the alert Cathy Halley who gathered and crowned a great day for
Shannon with another try to leave 20 points to nil scoreline. It might
have been reflective of the game as a whole but, Malahide deserve
immense credit for their never say die attitude in the face of an
inspired Shannon team who thoroughly deserved the plaudits.
Their
journey since the beginning of the season has been monumental. From
a despairing 7 players to a solid crew of 23, this Shannon side along
with their coaches Keith and Leonard have come a long way and
Saturday's victory was the pinnacle of their undulating journey. Even
their bus driver got caught up in the euphoria and donated a sizable
chunk of his Grand National winnings to the celebration fund.
For
two players in particular it was a really special day. Maeve McNamara
and Aine Savage have both decided to hang up their boots and their
certainly was no better way to do it.
Already plans are afoot for
their assault on further silverware, but for the moment, at least,
Shannon ladies are basking in their moment of glory.
Shannon Team
Niamh
Hogan (Debbie Cropper), Karen Keegan, Threase Heartley, Laura
O'Shea
(C), Katie McCloskey, Amanda Greensmith, Kate O'Connor (Ailish Toner),
Maeve McNamara (Darina Duffy), Tracy Lawlor (Maeve Hackett), Eimear
O'Dwyer (Sian Madden), Aine Savage, Slav Radic (Melissa Radic), Cathy
Halley, Linda Tracy, Claire Ryan
Highfield 22 Shannon 0, 21/02/09
7pm every Monday and
Wednesday at Shannon’s grounds in
Coonagh. All interested newcomers welcome.
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Be part of one of the fastest
growing girls sports in Ireland
GIRLS
RUGBY
Shannon Girls Under Age Rugby
currently have U13, U15 and U18 teams.
Training every Monday and Wednesday 7.00 - 8.30pm at Shannon RFC,
Coonagh
COME ALONG AND BRING A
FRIEND ; ALL ARE WELCOME !
Senior players contact Leonard Cassidy - (086 8108833) ,
Keith Wallace - (087 2719407)
Underage Players Contact: Pat Norris (087 2979413) JohnO'Dywer (087 2917685) ;
Gerry (087 7569559) ;
Damien (085 2967066) ; Dave (087 6151199) ;
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Munster Representatives:
Ireland Senior Squad:
Joy Neville, Amanda Greensmith, Rosie Foley, Jean Lonergan,
NO
EXPERIENCE NECESSARY
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