Shannon RFC - Ladies Rugby

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