Notes W/E 09/12/18

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Upcoming Fixtures:

Firsts: AIL v UCD – 15/12/18 – Thomond Park Main Pitch – 4.00pm

Seconds: N/A

Thirds: Gleeson League v NCW/Abbeyfeale – 15/12/18 – Coonagh – 2.30pm

U20s: N/A

Ladies: N/A

Underage:

See Underage Facebook Page for more info

This weekend brings about our last AIL fixture before Christmas. We kick off on the main pitch in Thomond Park at a later time of 4pm. We will still be running a prematch special – starting later than usual. Please see below for more information and remember pre booking is essential as we cannot cater for walk in’s on the day.

Our Thirds are also in Gleeson League action earlier in the day in Coonagh at 2.30pm. Come along and give your support to our Thirds, they are top of their league and have been putting in some fantastic performances to date.

After the matches on Saturday, its onto the Clubhouse for our Annual Presidents Christmas Party/Race Night. This is always a brilliant night, full of craic and great atmosphere so if you would like to come along please let me know and I will book it. It is €25 per person, this includes a four course meal and music until late. A great night is guaranteed.

AIL Round 8
Shannon 29 Garryowen 30

Photo Credit: Dermot Lynch Phtotgraphy

We were met with absolutely miserable conditions in Dooradoyle last Friday night as driving rain and wind made for a challenging evening. Regardless of the conditions, both sides put on a great display in a very entertaining game. Garryowen just pipped the win by a point after a last-minute penalty try awarded them 7 points. We now sit in 7th place on the table with a competitive match ahead of this Saturday to determine the mid-way standings in the league.

Shannon kicked proceedings off and were quick off the mark to kick for touch from an early penalty. Jake Flannery took on the ball, offloaded and managed to get himself back into the line to receive the ball and plough over the line for a 4th minute try. The wind made itself known and with the conversion being blown off course we took an early 5-0 lead. Not to be outdone, Garryowen followed up minutes later with a try of their own after a blocked down kick allowed them to set their backs up for a well worked move. They also missed the conversion leaving the score even after 10 minutes.

A wayward Garryowen kick a few moments later saw us brought all the way back to the Garryowen 22. Quick ball from the Shannon lineout saw Eathon Moloney carry well. He offloaded to Jake Flannery – who spotted his chance and chipped through to send Eathon over for our second try of the evening. Again, the wind made kicking impossible and we entered the second quarter 10-5 ahead.

Both sides tested one another for the following ten minutes. Garryowen used a penalty to kick to our 22 and looked dangerous as they threatened our line, however a turnover saw us alleviate pressure. We kicked for touch and Garryowen mauled from the line out, they carried the ball onward through phases staying mainly mid field, switching direction quickly to go over for a try in the corner. Again, it was unconverted and we were level again at 30 minutes.

We added a penalty to the tally minutes later for a Garryowen offside, and went 13-10 up. As the moments ticked by into extra time, Garryowen took advantage of a Shannon yellow card. They kicked to the Shannon 10 from the penalty and mauled forward. They attacked in pods, making ground and gained a penalty at 44 minutes. Opting to tip and go, they went over for a try in the corner. The ball came off the posts during the attempted conversion, leaving the half time score 15-13.

The weather did not improve for the second half and as a deluge of rain fell things on the pitch were made more difficult. Jake Flannery bagged another penalty at 47 minutes putting us ahead again. However less than ten minutes later, Garryowen were back on top as they landed a penalty of their own for Shannon hands in the ruck. The score read 18-16 after 56 minutes. Straight away Jake Flannery responded with a penalty after Garryowen came up offside, allowing us to take back the lead 19-18.

Shannon began to apply pressure and as Garryowen dropped the ball into touch on the half way mark at 60 minutes we looked confident. A great Jake Flannery kick saw Garryowen with a lineout on their 5. We stole it and got quick ball to Criag Casey who sniped in for a great try. The conversion was missed and we pushed the lead out to 24-18. This was followed up moments later by Pa Ryan getting a hand to a Garryowen knock on and running the gauntlet to go over for a brilliant try – sealing the bonus point. The conversion was missed but the score was extended to 29-18.

As the time ticked by, Garryowen began to come back into the game. They were in possession on our 5 and a series of pick and go’s saw us under pressure on our line. They held tough for a try and missed the conversion at 73 minutes. The lead narrowed to 6 points. Garryowen held possession from the kick off and looked dangerous as they moved towards our line, a forward pass saw Shannon with a scrum on our 5 as the clock struck 80 minutes. The scrum was reset numerous times with the ref finally awarding Garryowen a penalty. They tipped and went and were awarded another penalty, again opting to tip and go quickly they moved towards the Shannon line. An unknown infringement occurred in which the ref saw fit to award an 83rd minute penalty try and Garryowen took the spoils of the encounter by one point.

Seconds League
Shannon 10 Garryowen 40

It was a tough day at the office for our seconds who came out the wrong side of a 40-10 score line against Garryowen. Tough conditions again had an impact on the game but Garryowen took their chances well and came away with a bonus point win. We remain in third position on the seconds league table with no more matches to be played this side of Christmas.

Munster Ladies League Division 1
Shannon 53 Bantry 0

Shannon Ladies had a great outing against Bantry on Sunday. The match was rescheduled from earlier in the season and the girls were ready and waiting. A brilliant nine try haul saw them finish this leg of the competition comfortably and qualify for the cup along the way. Shannon scores came from Aoife Twohill x 4, Tracy Lawlor x 2, Roisin Willis, Ciara Casey O’Halloran and Sarah McGlinchey. Valerie Power converted to add the extra points. The Ladies will remain in second place on the table until the next bout of fixtures in the new year.

Underage Round-Up

Photo Credit: Shannon Underage Facebook

There wasn’t many matches this week for our underage, our U16 girls came away from their encounter with Bruff with a good 39-5 win. Our U13s also played some fantastic rugby in challenging conditions!

Our underage Christmas party takes place in Thomond Park this Sunday. Mini’s training will take place in Thomond park with a visit from Santa afterwards!

Shannon Gear Shop

Above is a selection of gear currently available in our club shop at the moment. We also have tracksuit bottoms, tshirts, jerseys, shorts, travel mugs etc. Contact sales@shannonrfc.com for any further information on sizing, price etc.The club shop will be open in our cabin in Coonagh each Sunday from 9.45-12.00.

Also, our senior men have teamed up with Noggin Sport. Noggin Sport are a sports brand dedicated to raising awareness of mental health through their range of head-wear. They have joined forces with our Senior Men to create a custom Shannon hat that our players will be selling for €15. If you would like to purchase a hat let me know and I will pass on your details or find any of our senior players in Coonagh on Sunday where they will be selling them.

IRFU “Your Club, Your country” Draw Winner!

We were delighted to have another winner in the IRFU “your Club, Your country” Draw for the second year in a row. Congratulation to past player Bobby Roche on his win! Bobby was part of the 4-in-a-row winning team and has been a generous sponsor of our club. See a full list of winners here

Well done Ciaran Parker

Congratulations to Ciaran Parker on his Champions Cup Debut in last weekends Munster Match v Castres.

Photo Credit: Dermot Lynch

SRFC Christmas Party

We have limited spaces left for our SRFC Christmas party taking place on the 15th of December. The night will kick off at 8pm, beginning with a a four course meal, followed by a Race Night and music afterwards. Its €25 per person. The night is always great craic so if you would like to come please book ASAP.