DIVISION 1A:
CORK CONSTITUTION 19 LANSDOWNE 13, Temple Hill
Scorers: Cork Constitution: Tries: Cathal Quinn 2; Pens: Gerry Hurley 3
Lansdowne: Try: Matt Healy; Con: Craig Ronaldson; Pens: Craig Ronaldson 2
HT: Cork Constitution 9 Lansdowne 6
GARRYOWEN 19 DOLPHIN 13, Dooradoyle
Scorers: Garryowen: Try: Paul Neville; Con: Declan Cusack; Pens: Declan Cusack 4
Dolphin: Try: John Quill; Con: Barry Keeshan; Pens: Barry Keeshan 2
HT: Garryowen 19 Dolphin 3
OLD BELVEDERE 10 ST. MARY’S COLLEGE 27, Anglesea Road
Scorers: Old Belvedere: Try: John Kennedy; Con: Aidan Wynne; Pen: Aidan Wynne
St. Mary’s College: Tries: Darren Hudson, Colm McMahon, Philip Brophy; Cons: Ray Crotty 3; Pens: Ray Crotty 2
HT: Old Belvedere 10 St. Mary’s College 7
SHANNON 14 CLONTARF 22, Thomond Park
Scorers: Shannon: Tries: Kevin Griffin, David Quinlan; Cons: Tadhg Bennett 2
Clontarf: Tries: Barry O’Mahony 2, Timmy McCoy; Cons: Richie Lane 2; Pen: Richie Lane
HT: Shannon 0 Clontarf 22
YOUNG MUNSTER 25 BLACKROCK COLLEGE 10, Tom Clifford Park
Scorers: Young Munster: Tries: Mark Doyle, Shane Hassett; Pens: Willie Staunton 4; Drop: Willie Staunton
Blackrock College: Try: Darragh Fitzpatrick; Con: Darragh Fitzpatrick; Pen: Darragh Fitzpatrick
HT: Young Munster 17 Blackrock College 3
Shannon suffered their fourth straight defeat in the Ulster Bank League, going down to a clinical Clontarf outfit at Thomond Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Limerick side gave youth a fling, including Under-21 players Willie O’Connor and Shane McNamaraas league debutants on either wing, but by half-time they were 22-0 behind.Shannon made the brighter start but it was the visitors who scored the opening points. Hooker Jon Larbey made the initial break which led to flanker and captain Barry O’Mahony getting over.
Shannon out-half Tadhg Bennett saw his penalty come back off the woodwork in the 18th minute, while Clontarf place-kicker Richie Lane was off target with a 50 metre penalty effort.
But when Shannon roamed offside in the 25th minute, Lane tapped over the penalty from in front of the posts to extend their lead.
Clontarf lock Ben Reilly was then yellow carded and while he was out of the action the Shannon pack gained the upper hand.
Yet, Stephen Keogh’s men wasted a glorious try-scoring chance on the half hour. With nobody to beat, a pass went astray and that missed opportunity sucked some of the enthusiasm out of the hosts.
They paid a hefty price for not scoring on that occasion when ‘Tarf grabbed their second try two minutes later. Shannon tried to chip out of defence but it backfired and the ball broke to winger Timmy McCoy who touched down.
To add to Shannon’s misery, Lane’s conversion went over off the crossbar to make it 15-0.
Shannon lost the Munster-capped Luke O’Dea to a shoulder injury and it took a great tackle by McNamara to deny Conor Keegan a try after he was set up by wily scrum half Sam Cronin.
In the final action of the half, Shannon lost their own lineout throw and O’Mahony was credited with the touchdown for their third try which Lane again converted.
By that stage, Clontarf must have fancied their chances of picking up a bonus point but it was Shannon who dominated the second period.
Richie Mullane got over the line but could not manage to ground the ball. However, four minutes from the end, the hosts were rewarded when prop Kevin Griffin barged his way over.
Shannon struck again in the final minute with experienced number 8 David Quinlan breaking through. Bennett converted both tries but it was too little, too late and Shannon were unfortunate to end the game with nothing to show for their efforts.
Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU)