SHANNON RFC Notes April 5th 2008

It's getting to the time of the year when cups and trophies are won and lost and it's great to see that this week our U/13's won the North Munster league. Despite that fact they weren't even playing last Sunday, they were awarded the league by virtue of the fact that UL/Bohs and Young Munster played out a 0-0 draw. It was a most pleasant surprise for the 13's who lost only once throughout the campaign. Full credit here goes to the full panel of players and their dedicated coaches who have worked and trained so hard since their first match in Ennis in September. They are a talented bunch of players whose efforts certainly reaped the reward. Well done to all involved. Also hoping to emulate the 13's are the U/14' and 15's who both played and won league semifinals on Wednesday evening. The U/15's got the better of a tenacious Ennis side by 10 points to 5. An early try by Paul Curtiss sent the tone for a good performance but it took until the second half for the lads to convert their pressure in points and Conor Barry was on the end of a good move involving what seemed like the whole team. Ennis crossed late for a deserved try but passage to the final was secure were UL/Bohs await.

At the same time on the Well field the U/14's played out a dramatic 3 nil victory over Young Munster. Both sides played some great rugby and both had opportunities to break the deadlock which was maintained up until there was five minutes remaining. After being awarded a Penalty close to the right of the posts No.8 and Captain Darragh O'Shea stepped up and landed the winning score. Some determined defence was required to hold the score line intact in the closing stages, but the lads held tough for the win/ Garryowen will now be their opponents in eth final.

This Sunday the U16's travel to Newcastle west.

After any defeat there's a lot of introspection and questioning, but the manner in which you respond is probably the clearest indication of character. The AIB league defeat to Dolphin was consigned to one bad day at the office as the seniors got back to winning ways in emphatic fashion. UCD were the unfortunate recipients of backlash that yielded seven tries and a total of 45 points.

It was a result that guaranteed us a semi final spot, but whether we are at home or away on May 1st will be decided on the final day of the league. For the moment though it's a busy few weeks ahead, with hopefully games from now until the last league game. This weekend we have two semi finals with the Seniors heading to Galway to play in the rescheduled AIB Cup game. The focus of the lads in now on winning this prestigious competition for the first time , but despite already beating Galwegians earlier on home ground they have also caused us difficulties. Last Saturday's game began with an intercept try for UCD, but it didn't take long for the lads to take control. John Clogan was first to cross and when Mossy and them Killian O'Neill scored just before the half time whistle it seemed inevitable that the bonus point would come. Just after the break Eoghan Grace crossed for his first ever AIL try and then it was over to Stephen Kelly who took over the try scoring and added a further three tries to his already impressive tally for the season. All in all this was a confident and timely performance and although UCD may not have been entirely focused there's way to disguise a good display.

For Saturday's game in Galway a supporters coach is leaving Thomond Park at 11am and will hit the road almost immediately after the game to allow a stop in Gort to watch the other big game of the day. Speaking of that Munster game we wish everyone involved the very best of luck. A difficult task, but we are all aware of the capabilities of this extraordinary team.

We congratulate Young Munster for their ascension to the 1st division after their lengthy period in Division two and look forward to renewing the fantastic occasions that our AIB league games used to be. Bruff are another club on the up with former Shannon player Eoin Cahill highly influential in their progress and along with Old Crescent's almost miraculous survival in division two, Limericks title of Rugby capital was never more evident.

The seconds have a big game in Musgrave Cork on Sunday when they play UCC in the semi final of the Munster junior cup at 2.30. It's been a few years since we have got this far, but with the standard the lads have set themselves, a semi final won't satisfy. They have been impressive in their campaign thus far and with a hugely talented squad of players confidence should be high. They prepared well for the game with a good win over UL/Bohs last Sunday. Chris Berkery crossed the whitewash three times with Dave Barry adding another while Gary Mc continues his try scoring bonanza with yet another inspiring score.

The lads need as much support as we can muster this Sunday so please make the effort. Our U/10's will no doubt provide plenty of vocal support as prior to the game they play Dolphin in a friendly.


Andrew Mc Namara

Shannon RFC PRO

087 2717163