THOMOND’S hopes of a return to senior status received a big boost with an All-Ireland Round Robin semi-final win over fancied Ulster champions Dromore 17-10 in Kildare.
The Limerick side raced into an early lead with a try by Eoghan Sherlock which Jason Kiely converted.
Dromore hit back with an unconverted try.
Kiely extended Thomond’s lead but a second try by Dromore, left Thomond leading 12-10 at the interval. Jamie McGarry extended Thomond’s lead with a third try early in the second half and they held on for a great win and a meeting with Bective Rangers in the final next weekend.
Meanwhile in the Munster Junior Cup, Shannon defeated Muskerry 31-29 at Coonagh to advance to the last four.
Muskerry dominated the forward exchanges, but it was a blistering Shannon back line that did the damage.
Shannon had tries from Darren Gavin, Ciaran Vaughan, Conall Gill, Kieran Kennedy and Tommy O’Driscoll, with Cillian O’Connor kicking four conversions.
Shannon will travel to Takumi Park next Sunday to face Old Crescent, who defeated Highfield 45-17.
