Shannon Bag Bonus Point Against Munsters

Shannon climbed to the top of the AIB League Division One standings with a four-try flourish against Limerick rivals Young Munster at Tom Clifford Park on Saturday.

AIB LEAGUE: DIVISION ONE: Saturday, February 22

YOUNG MUNSTER 10 SHANNON 28, Tom Clifford Park

Scorers: Young Munster: Try: Matthew Costelloe; Con: Matthew Costelloe; Pen: Matthew Costelloe
Shannon: Tries: John Clogan, Padraic O’Brien, David O’Donovan, Stephen Kelly; Con: Tadhg Bennett; Pens: Tadhg Bennett 2

Geoff Moylan’s men claimed the bragging rights when they turned on the style to beat the Cookies – despite having two players sin-binned at various stages in the game.

Team captain Fiach O’Loughlin blocked down a clearance kick to pave the way for Shannon’s opening try after only eight minutes.

Centre John Clogan followed up to get the touchdown which Tadhg Bennett converted.

Ten minutes later, lock Padraic O’Brien galloped over for a second try and matters looked bleak for the home side.

But Young Munster got back into the game when out-half Matthew Costelloe jinked past a couple of Shannon defenders for a well-taken 28th-minute try. He added the conversion and Shannon’s half-time lead stood at 12-7.

Bennett put over his first penalty of the afternoon, five minutes into the second half, and Costelloe replied soon after with a similar effort for Young Munster.

While scrum half O’Loughlin was sin-binned, Shannon managed a third try. David O’Donovan, who had also been yellow carded just after the interval, was the scorer and winger Stephen Kelly put the icing on the cake with another try two minutes later.

With the bonus point secured, a late penalty from Bennett capped off a pleasing afternoon’s work for Shannon.