Shannon Notes
Weekending
There was no way that our AIB league game against St Mary’s was going to be
easy. They had started well in the league and were certainly going to be a
tough assignment. Sunday's game turned out much as we had predicted but
fortunately from our perspective, satisfaction coupled with pangs of relief
came with the final whistle. A late St Mary’s rally was snuffed out on numerous
occasions and if anyone had doubts about the commitment and mental strength of
our senior side, then that notion was dispelled on Sunday. After the sluggish
start which saw them concede an early try and then a soft late first half try,
the final 26-20 final score could scarcely have been predicted. Tadhg Bennett
scored our nine first half points and it looked as if we would have difficulty
in securing any sort of result, but motivation comes in different guises and
perhaps the chants of "Maro's, Maro's " at half time from the vocal
travelling support set a resolve in our lads. Where their new focus came from
doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things as long it worked. Nine
minutes in to the new half and Ritchie Mullane darted over and four minutes
later the man on the opposite wing Marcus O'Driscoll scored a try that would
hold its own on any stage. It was at this point that we could sense victory and
despite conceding a penalty to leave a point between the sides the way the lads
were playing left us in no doubt how the result would go. Tadhg Bennett's block
down try left some daylight between the scores, but crucially the conversion was
missed which did give Mary’s a chance of a converted try to win the game. The
last few minutes were nail biting sure enough, but after the way the lads
clawed their way back, they were in no form to relinquish the hard earned lead.
A number of five metre scrums were defended heroically until finally the
whistle came. So with just a little under half the AIB league gone I think we
can reflect with a certain degree of satisfaction that we lie in third place,
albeit with a clatter of teams only a few points away. The lads have improved
at a consistent rate and the AIB league title is still well within our
capabilities. For now though the senior side can take a well deserved
break from action over the Christmas and won't play again until January 3rd in
a friendly with
The Ladies finished off 2008 with a great win over Clanwilliam while the
U/18's recorded a comprehensive win over Young Munster in the league
which now sees them garner five wins from five games. This Sunday they play in
Bruff at 11.30.
This Saturday the Seconds are scheduled to play Highfield in a
rearranged league game in
Tickets for the Magners League game against
Whilst speaking of
It's hard to believe that a month has passed since Frankie O'Flynn
departed for the choir in the sky months mine and this Saturday evening in St
Marys church his months mind takes place.
A reminder that the clubhouse opens Christmas morning for members at
Finally, on behalf of the Executive committee of
Andrew McNamara - PRO