St. Mary’s Breach Fortress Thomond

St. Mary’s College maintained their unbeaten start to the new AIB League Division 1A campaign with a hard-fought 12-7 victory over defending champions Shannon at Thomond Park.

AIB LEAGUE: DIVISION 1A: Saturday, October 10

SHANNON 7 ST. MARY’S COLLEGE 12, Thomond Park

Scorers: Shannon: Try: Mossie Lawlor; Con: Tadhg Bennett
St. Mary’s College: Pens: Gavin Dunne 3; Drop: Shaun McCarthy

Summer signing Gavin Dunne and player-coach Shaun McCarthy booted St. Mary’s to a deserved comeback win, with Dunne slotting three penalty goals and Australian McCarthy tagging on a drop goal.

After Dunne had opened the scoring, Shannon out-half Tadhg Bennett produced a lovely piece of skill – chipping ahead, gathering the ball and popping a well-timed pass for captain Mossie Lawlor to touch down to the left of the posts.

Bennett added the conversion but with both packs determined to batter away and make the hard yards, a tight, slugfest ensued.

Crucially, St. Mary’s were able to up the tempo for the second half and a Dunne penalty after 41 minutes set them on the right road.

Following McCarthy’s drop goal, Bennett missed a gilt-edge penalty chance and Dunne’s final kick, with two minutes to go, sealed Shannon’s fate.