Shannon just about shaded their victory in Coonagh Park on Saturday afternoon. With both sides struggling at the bottom of Division 1b the contest was a must for win for both teams. The game itself was played with great intensity in the wintery conditions. The visitors had the elements in their favor in the first half but it was the Shannon side that drew first blood. After fifteen minutes of play the home side asserted themselves as their captain Richard Mullane found an excellent touch into the visitors five metre line. From the resulting line out the home side stole the ball and drove forward. Their number eight Lee Nicholas claimed the touchdown as they scrambled over the whitewash. Left winger Shane McNamara added the extras. Some minutes later Corinthians out half Conor Murphy had an opportunity to narrow the lead after IRFU referee John Carvill pulled the home side for foul play but was just wide with the kick. On the half hour the Cloonacauneen side leveled the contest as they set up an excellent attack into the home side five metre line. Captain James Buckley playing on the right wing came across the pitch and received the oval ball from his scrum half Mickey Murphy. Buckley then whipped the ball out to left winger Dwayne Corcoran who scrambled for a mighty touchdown in the corner. Conor Murphy added the extras from the touch line much to the joy of the visiting supporters. Some minutes later Corinthians number eight Eoghan Masterson was yellow carded for loitering. This gave the home side forwards more drive. Just before the break they mauled over the Corinthian line and scrum half Dave Evans squeezed for a touch down. McNamara missed out on the convert leaving the home outfit leading by twelve points to seven as they went for shelter.
The second half was a dour enough affair as both sides held their shape. The Shannon side with the elements assisting tried to play an open game but were held up by the excellent defense of the Galway outfit especially centers Charlie Ryan and Cian Begley tackling like demons. The Limerick side were eventually pulled for crossing in mid field as the referee yellow carded their out half Tadhg Bennett. This gave the visitors a lift as they mauled up the pitch. As their second row Marc Kelly and flanker Pat O’ Toole did the donkey work assisted by Joey Merrigan. The referee awarded another penalty on the Shannon five metre line. Corinthians decided to go for the tap. The scrum half fed the ball to veteran second row Gary Warde as he scrambled over the whitewash ably assisted by props Mark Byrne and Craig Hansberry. The convert was wide off the mark leaving the score at twelve points apiece. The Coonagh side upped the tempo after this set back and were nearly in for a third try but great defense by substitute center Phil Maher putting his body on the line saving a certain try. Some minutes later Corinthians were pulled for foul play and McNamara stepped up and slotted the penalty giving them a three point lead. The visitors never gave up and were well into the home teams twenty two driving forward but the ref pulled them for crossing much to the relief of the home support. McNamara kicked the ball into touch, game over. Final score Shannon 15points Corinthians 12 points.
Corinthian Team; D Griffen,J Buckley(capt),C Ryan.C Begley.D Corcoran.C Murphy.M Murphy.M Byrne.J Merrigan.C Hansberry.G Warde.M Kelly.P O’Toole.J Connolly.E Masterson. Replacements; D Hanberry.A Bane.D Phelan.P Maher.P Nooone.
Corinthians next outing is home to Buccaneers on Friday 20/02/15. Kick off 7.30pm. Venue Cloonacauneen Park.
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