Shannon Notes January 12^th 2008

For the second week in succession success greeted Shannon in Cork with both the seniors and seconds winning at different venues on different days with varying performances and with players common to both days.

The variety in the seniors win over UCC in the AIB Cup came in the guise of sporadic spells of excellence added to some nervous periods during which the students were serious contenders to take the spoils.

After a patchy opening 15 minutes when we were fortunate to be six points to the good thanks to Andrew Thompson, we took a different approach and began to sustain some fantastic rugby. The ball was spread with a distinct purpose and the enterprise was rewarded when Mossy Lawlor benefited from some exquisite handling skills from almost the entire team and crossed for his first try. That was soon added to when he chipped UCC’s fullback perfectly and got a favourable bounce. At 20 nil up it seemed that we had the game in total control, but then an introverted spell followed and we allowed the students back into the game with 10 points before the half time whistle. The purple patch for the home side continued and our own anxieties perpetuated after the break and UCC gained parity, but not after we had a few opportunities of our own scuppered. Beneath the anxious exterior however, it always looked as if the lads could up the pace and tempo - and that they did. Eoghan Grace came off the bench and made a big impact and contributed handsomely to David Quinlan’s important try. It gave some breathing space, but the students never gave up and we were forced to hold our line once or twice, before we sealed the deal when Stephen Kelly romped over in the last play of the game. 34-20 was the final score, but the lads know themselves that they need to sustain the periods of dominance they showed in this game, especially as we’re back in AIB League action this week and for the next three weeks. And there’s no better way to test the voracity of their league ambitions when leaders, Cork Con, visit Coonagh this Saturday - a team that will no doubt be out to avenge our cup semi final victory over them. It should be a cracker from two clubs whose consistency in the league is second to none. 2.30 is kick off time. Our reward for our victory in the Cup is yet another away with the winners of the postponed St Mary’s and Clonakilty game.

Sunday brought another victory in Cork with the seconds putting on a fantastic show when they beat Cork Con in the league. For differing reasons the seconds hadn’t played a game for seven weeks prior to Sunday and it showed in the opening 30 minutes as Con had us pinned in our ’22 for lengthy periods. The less than ideal weather conditions did contribute to the tough opening but our defensive line held perfectly and all Cons had to show for their dominance was a single penalty. We began to come into the game as the half wore on and we gained inroads into Cons territory with a few players showing their ability. Again Eoghan Grace was immense while John Clogan was as strong in attack was he was in defence. The second half was an almost mirror image of the first with our lads almost exclusively present in Cons ’22. The slippery conditions meant that scoring opportunities were kept to a minimum, but eventually all that dominance paid rich dividends when john Clogan took a neat line and went over for a richly deserved try. From that position of leading the lads never looked like relinquishing it and Con never really threatened our line. The result was sealed at the death when once again John Clogan scored a try after some bizarre events, but a try is a try and it was the clincher after a very satisfying performance. The junior cup is only week away and the lads are heading towards it in good shape. This Sunday they play a friendly against Old Crescent in Rosbrien at 1pm.

The Thirds beat UL/Bohs convincingly when they resumed the Gleeson league. Although they can’t win the competition they put in a fantastic performance, scoring four excellent tries. Mike Goode crossed twice while Ger Ryan and Pat Quinn bagged one each.

The under 18’s resumed their league with a very tough league match against Young Munster. The match was played on a very heavy and sticky pitch and great credit is due to both sides for serving up a really exciting game of rugby. The Lads were forced to defend early on but they held their line very well and denied the home side a try, but did conceded a penalty. It was a score that spurred the lads and the forwards got stuck in and mauled the Munster’s pack back over 30 meters, good hands were then shown and it resulted with Martin Casey going over for our first try. The second half started in the same fashion with us having to repel heavy pressure on the line from Munster’s. Great forward mauling resulted in a turnover and the siege was lifted. The Shannon side then took control of the game and it resulted in a great forwards try scored by Gordon Britchfield, converted by Luke O’Dea. The score stayed at 12-3 until the final whistle. It was a great team performance with the full squad contributing to a very satisfying result.

They travel to Newcastlewest next Sunday for an 11.30 kick-off.

Elsewhere the U14’s beat Old Crescent. Other underage fixtures this weekend sees the U/13’s play Bruff in the league at 11.30 while the U/16’s play Garryowen at 11am. Both games are on in Coonagh.

Andrew Mc Namara

Shannon RFC PRO

087 2717163

amcnamara@eircom.net

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