This is a time for reflection for Shannon

A MIXED bag of results was our lot last weekend and while the highlight could be considered our progression in the Junior Cup, we have to face up to another loss in the Ulster Bank league.

Our hopes of wining the league have been faded fro a while, but now our thoughts and attentions turn to maintaining our long held position at the top of the club rugby table.

Again the tone and manner of our defeat to Clontarf left us wondering would we ever get a bit of luck in this season's league. By no means were Clontarf undeserving of their 22-14 victory, and to deny them the kudos for taking their opportunities would not reflect the game. There was an unquestionable turning point in the game when we trailed by 8 points and had the line at our mercy, but the opportunity didn’t stick and instead of setting the doubts in the mindset of the visiting players, they cranked it up and took a 22 point lead into the break.

That was never a true reflection of the 40 minutes witnessed, but when you fail to take the chances and then, offer a team like Clontarf soft possession, the consequences are generally not to your betterment. It appeared that we would be in a for a long and weary second half, but there’s one thing that our lads will never lack is pride. We took the game right back to Clontarf in the second half ,and arguably were the better side, but quite often its easy to sit back and absorb pressure when holding a comfortable lead. They searched for a bonus; we looked to salvage at least something from the game. Neither was achieved. The late tries from Kevin Griffin and Davis Quinlan were no more than the work rate of the lads deserved. That they done nothing, to change the fact that we went into the dressing rooms with no points was possibly the ultimate disappointment. It could be argued that it was too little too late, but we could also argue that positive attitude on display right up to the end is something that can be built upon. Where to next? That elusive victory is just around the corner, I can almost guarantee that. Whether it will come in our next assignment on Saturday when we head to Lansdowne road remains to be seen, but it’s going to come. The Thomond Park game on Saturday also marked the debut in the AIL for four U/21 players which again is a testament to the work being done by Hicks and Frankie at that level. Willie O’Connor and Shane McNamara started the game, while John Sheerin and Aaron O’Brien saw action as replacements. In all we had 7 U/21’s in the match day 20 with a further 3 players just a year ahead, so it is a young team.

Saturday’s game in the capital against Lansdowne has an earlier 2pm start to facilitate another match later on in the day. The supporters coach has been resurrected and veterans of the facility will vouch that it’s a great day out, win lose or draw. Des McInerny has come back on board so to speak as chief organiser, and he can be contacted for details and bookings on 0868558522 or des@visionsigns.ie.

There’s always a deep sense of trepidation when it time to play the Munster Junior cup, especially when you’re drawn against a junior side away from home. We’ve been caught out on more than one occasion when we were perceived to be the stronger team on paper, but you can never underestimate the sense of pride that teams have when they play in front of their own community. Newcastle West certainly lived up to that preconceived notion last Sunday and we had to battle it all the way to get of west Limerick with a win. They had a big and powerful pack that caused difficulties throughout the game, and the 21-9 score line in our favour may be a tad flatter. We did outscore them with three tries, but with injury time on the horizon we had to endure on onslaught with the score at 14-9. It was definitely tense, but the lads were well organised in defence, as they were throughout the game, and managed to turn the ball over and launch an offensive at the other end. The result of that secured the outcome, as Aaron Spring took flight from close range and was virtually unstoppable. Despite the home side offering a tough encounter, we did take our chances well. We had a number of good displays from individuals including the remorseless tackle count from Leonard Mullane, or prop Brian Downey who excelled in the loose. He popped up in the extreme corner to get our second try after Connor Cunnane chased up a penalty that hit the upright. That was midway through the second half, and Ben Sargent’s excellent conversion increased our lead to 14-6, we were always on constant vigil. Simply there was nothing easy right from the start, but once we did take the lead in the 21st minute when Killian O’Neill barged over, we kept it throughout the game. The players dug deep and done what was required and we can ask no more than that. A home draw against Thomond in the next round is the reward for a job well done from the lads. People may underestimate the effort it takes to ensure we have a competitive second’s team and we are very fortunate that we have a man of the calibre of Martin Power working as diligently and relentlessly as he does and it was great to see him give The Isle a burst after the game.

Many of the lads that played their part in that win will now revert back to the U/21’s as they head into another South western conference game on Saturday against Young Munster. If you’re not heading to Dublin, I would urge you to head out to Derryknockane at 12.30 and give the lads a shout on.



On Sunday the ladies took on a tough Highfield side in Coonagh but came out second best. They are coming up against far more experienced sides as of late which will of course help them in their progression.



Home advantage was conceded to the U/19’s in the Pan Munster league by Young Munster and the lads took full advantage and ran out convincing winners by 48-5. Right from the start in was obvious that we would be to strong for the Cookies and at times we played a very exciting brand of rugby. The tendency to drift in and out of games seems to be ever present in this team, and one wonders if they played a full 70 minutes at maximum, what they could achieve. But that’s something that can be worked on by Brendan Mc, for the moment they can be satisfied that they have qualified to the next round after their win. As to whether they will emerge as winners of the group and with it a home tie remains to be seen as the face the stern challenge of Kanturk this Sunday. Tries from Alex McNamara, Shane Ryan and a brace each from Graham Britchfield and Conor Burns secured the win last week, but an even better performance this Sunday will be required.



With many fixtures cancelled locally last weekend, it was a testament to our investment in Coonagh that we could play four games there, as well as host training for all our underage sides and another side to emerge with credit on a cold and blustery morning were our U/14’s who progressed to the final of the league after a really tough semi final against Bruff. We began very well and used the speedy backline to make an impression, while the pack eked out the yards. Two tries to no score was the halftime score, but Bruff, as is their way came storming back. Their big pack was beginning to get on top and our lads had to be on high alert. Bruff managed two tries and it was going to take a huge effort from our lads to. The scarcity of attacks from our lads didn’t really reflect on the final score as they took two try scoring chances when presented which saw them through to the final.

Try Scorers tries were Cathal Quinlan, Jordan Higgins, Tomas Connolly and Darragh Gibbons. Ronan Coffey 1 conversion.

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The U/17’s had to be tenacious as the managed to claim a very creditable draw with Richmond and despite being decimated player wise are competing very well in the league. On Sunday they’re in action again as they host Garryowen.



Adult fixtures



Friday

Thirds friendly V St Marys Coonagh 7.30pm

Saturday

Seniors UBL V Lansdowne Lansdowne Rd 2pm

U/21 SWC V Young Munster Derrknockane 12.30 pm





Underage Fixtures

Sunday 5th February

Under 13 League: Richmond V Shannon 11.30 Garryowen Green



Under 17 League: Shannon V Garryowen 11.30



Under 19 Pan Munster Shannon/St. Mary's V Kanturk