THREE penalties from the boot of Robert O’Beirn was not enough to see beyond the tries from Richie Mullane and Mike Essex n the Shannon side. A conversion and two penalties from Tadhg Bennett added to score to give Shannon a much needed victory on the road against Galwegians by a scoreline of 18 points to 9.
The win leaves Shannon level on points with Cork Constitution but five points adrift of the leaders Blackrock College. Shannon have a game in hand and this week host Dungannon on Saturday in Coonagh at 2.30pm and will look to close that gap on the leaders who have a sticky fixture against Ballymena in Stradybrook.
Blackrock College extended their lead at the top of the AIB league division one with a win over Young Munster thanks to five tries, two penalties and a conversion from the home team. Stephen Carey did cross Blackrock’s try line for the “Cookies” in the first half to leave the sides tied on 13 points each at half time but the visitors could not add to their tally and went down by a 33-19 defeat to their hosts.
This week, Young Munster play host to St Mary’s College where the Limerick side might not find the going as tough and a chance of taking a point, if not more, is a strong possibility.
Munster Rugby’s Kieran Lewis was on hand to score for Garryowen as they saw beyond the challenge of Terenure College at the Lakelands Park last weekend.
Conor Kilroy put 14 points on the board and Willie Staunton added a drop goal to halt the progress of Terenure and their two try challenge. The sides were level at half time but the Limerick side had enough in the tank to take the spoils and move to within one league point behind Shannon.
Garryowen are playing host to UL Bohemian this weekend in one of the league’s local Limerick derbies.
UL Bohemians had their tails up last week as they took the scalp of Clontarf in Annacotty by 17 points to 13.
The three tries from Tommy O’Donnell, Aidan McNulty and Mark Doyle as well as a conversion from McNulty had the edge over the brace from the visitors and UL were able to capitalise on their half time lead to see out the match and take the points to move them level on points with Garryowen.
In division two, Bruff edged the derby match with Old Crescent while Thomond also took a win from their game against Instonians.
The wins put Bruff just four points of the top spot while Thomond move one point clear of Wanderers and a little breathing space away from the bottom of the table. Old Crescent sit three points off adrift of fifth place Ballynahinch. Both Bruff and Thomond are on the road this week and travel to Wanderers and Belfast Harlequins respectively. Old Crescent play host to Clonakilty and will look to bridge that gap to the top tier of the league.
