AIB League round-up:After three defeats to start the competition and just one win, Shannon proved that they remain very much in contention in Division 1 A of the AIB League with a decisive 21-15 victory over Blackrock College at Stradbrook on Saturday.
It helped enormously that they were able to call on their strongest line-up to date. Munster players Felix Jones, Ian Dowling and Niall Ronan were all included as the holders set about confirming that they still have what it takes to make the play-offs.
Unsurprisingly, all three made significant impressions, with Dowling featuring in the centre instead of his more familiar position on the wing. Apart from an early hamstring injury to skipper Mossie Lawlor, coach Colm Tucker could not really have asked for much more.
“That was an important win, in terms of keeping us in contention in the league. We really had to show some character, some pride in ourselves after our cup defeat to Cork Constitution.” said Tucker.
“Any four points on the road in this division is good. The three boys coming in did really well. That’s Felix Jones’s best performance in a Shannon jersey without a doubt.
“He was physical, he was strong, and put us in the right positions. But it was an overall team performance that won us the game, even the guys coming off the bench.”
Although Blackrock contributed substantially to a highly competitive encounter, there was no question that Shannon deserved their victory. The Limerick side started with great intensity, leaving Blackrock struggling to secure the type of ball their backs can thrive on.
Importantly, Shannon also possess one of the best finishers around in dual rugby and gaelic football star Stephen Kelly.
The left-wing secured two first half tries, the first an opportunist effort, while the second arrived after Blackrock number eight Mick Carroll was sin-binned for a late tackle on Jones.
Blackrock were made to pay. Shannon out-half Tadgh Bennett landed the resulting penalty before Kelly went over for his second try following one of the best moves of the game.
Earlier, Bennett had converted Kelly’s first try and kicked a penalty. Blackrock kept in touch with three penalties from James Power to leave them trailing 15-9 at the interval, but, as hard as they tried in an improved second half performance, they never looked capable of overhauling their rivals.
Bennett and the increasingly impressive Jones each landed drop goals to extend Shannon’s advantage to 21-12 going into the final quarter. To their credit, Blackrock did manage a late rally, causing Shannon to defend desperately at times, but could not manage a try.
Instead, they had to rely on the Power’s accurate goalkicking, the centre landing two more penalties, the second of which came in injury time to give Blackrock an important and deserved losing bonus point.
The situation has become increasingly close at the top of the Division I A table following the shock 25-20 defeat of leaders St Mary’s College by UL Bohemians at Thomond Park.
This should have been pretty straightforward for the previously unbeaten St Mary’s against their bottom of the table opponents. Instead, UL Bohemians produced an outstanding performance, coming from 15-10 down, to secure their first victory of their campaign.
Daniel Riordan, playing in the centre, crossing for two tries, while late scores from Ed Torrie (try) and Fergal Lawler (penalty) were to prove decisive. Once again, wing Darragh Fanning (2), and second-row Robin Copeland contributed tries for St Mary’s but there efforts were not enough.
That said, St Mary’s remain on top of the table on 18 points, three ahead of Blackrock. Significantly though, Cork Constitution and Shannon are moving closer.
Cork Con’s hard fought 21-18 home success over Clontarf puts them in third spot, just a point behind Blackrock. The impressive Scott Deasy was the key figure, the centre and skipper contributing a try, conversion and three penalties.
Elsewhere, the bad weather caused the game between Garryowen and Dolphin to be postponed. In Division 1 B, Old Belvedere stay at the top of the table, despite losing 13-12 to Galwegians at Crowley Park.
Old Belvedere, without Fergus McFadden, led 12-8 until John Cleary scored a crucial second try late on to give Galwegians their victory. The improving Young Munster moved into second place, thumping Ballymena 16-3 at Clifford Park.
The result was revenge for an AIB Cup defeat Young Munster had suffered in Ballymena the previous weekend. Elsewhere, Dungannon secured third third position with an emphatic 27-3 victory over Buccaneers, while UCC are fourth after beating Ballynahinch 15-6 at Ballymacarn Park.
