Shannon Notes Weekending October 25th 2008

It was difficult to gauge the initial reaction in the dressing room in the immediate aftermath of our 17-17 draw with Garryowen in the AIB league. While the heads were not dropped, the lads weren’t jumping for joy either and I suspect the Garryowen dressing room experienced similar sentiments. Honours even may not have been what we set out to achieve, but it was certainly better than recording a second defeat in the league.

A new era in AIB rugby perhaps dawned last Friday night under the lights in Thomond Park. The famous venue has certainly seen bigger crowds during the glory days of the league, but witnessed on Friday was a fantastic crowd to see the first club game in the new Thomond Park. It is perhaps the way forward for the game, locally at least.  There was a great atmosphere before the game and indeed during it with the only disappointment being the unsavoury behaviour of some of the younger supporters of both teams who insisted on ignoring the famous tradition of silence for the kicker. I would urge parents and coaches to let these players know that this behaviour is unacceptable.

The game itself was one we could easily have lost, just as easily we could have won it, so I suppose the logical conclusion would infer that a draw was a fair result. Neither side were jumping for joy at the final whistle and the demeanour was one of disappointment from both teams. It was, as expected, a close game with scoring opportunities in short supply. Once again Tadhg Bennett was in great form and scored 12 of our points, while Fiach's early second half try did look to set us on the way to victory. However, with plenty of time remaining the ding dong scoring resumed and Garryowen's well worked try late on might well have signalled their first win of the campaign, but what followed was perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the night from our perspective. The lads battled well and showed great spirit to manufacture an equalising penalty and although we could well have created another opportunity soon after we had to be content with honours even. It was a much improved performance and it seems with each passing game the improvement continues. Fiach played a captains part and was named AIB man of the match and richly deserved for a man who battled injury fervently right up to kickoff.  Lying midtable and quite a few points off the leaders this Saturday’s game against Terenure is of major significance. A lengthy break of over a month in the league after Saturday reinforces the need for a good result and despite Terenure lying at the foot of the table we can afford to take nothing for granted. Remember last season when two bottom teams took our scalp.

 Just a note that In a week’s times our AIB cup game with Blackrock will be on the earlier time of 2pm to allow for extra time.

Elsewhere we had mixed results with the seconds and U/20's opening their league campaigns.

On Saturday the U/20's travelled play Sundays Well and came home with a well deserved 15-7 win. The scoreline might well flatter the home side as we squandered four or five scoring opportunities throughout the game. We were dealt an early blow when outhalf Paddy O'Sullivan was forced off through injury, but replacement scrumhalf Colm Quinn slotted in and made an impact. He set up Eoin O'Neill shortly after coming on for the opening try and a Dave O'Leary penalty increased our lead. Luke O'Dea finished off a great move form 30 metres out to cross the line before the break, but that was to be the end of our scores. The lads took the pedal off the gas and allowed the home side some initiative which resulted in a converted try late in the game. It wasn’t ideal to see the lads drop the pace, but what can’t be denied is that it’s great to get off to a good start in the league. This Saturday in Coonagh we play Cork Con with a 2.30 start. For Anyone not travelling to Dublin, their support would be greatly appreciated.

On Sunday the seconds were beaten by UL/Bohs in the opening salvo of the Munster seconds league by 18-9. It was a well below par performance from the lads and they will certainly have to improve if they are to make an impact on the league. We certainly have the players to compete, but in fairness UL/Bohs are always a good side at seconds so it’s a little early to write off their chances just yet. This Sunday they are down to Cork to play Highfield at 2.30.

This Saturday the thirds resume action when they play UL/Bohs in Coonagh at 12.30.

Underage fixtures last weekend were nonexistent and this weekend we have something similar. Only the U/15's are in action when they play UL/Bohs in Coonagh at 11.30.

Tadhg Crowe has informed us that the tickets for the forthcoming Autumn internationals will be available soon. Members should apply as soon as possible and bear in mind that the IRFU have imposed a linking system with the tickets. The New Zealand match is linked with the six nation’s game with France, while the Argentina game is linked with the English game. This means that we cannot dispose of tickets independently.

Finally we end by sending our sympathies to Pat Shine and his family on the death of his mother last week.