Shannon cut loose to sink Buccaneers
The team Geoff Moylan built and Mick Galwey fine-tuned looked irresistible on Saturday at Moher Road, dominating up front and running riot out wide.
Buccaneers may be winding down after a disappointing season, but Shannon made them look worse than they are.
Reflected Galwey: “Buccaneers didn’t really have much to play for, while we were fighting to retain our position at the top of the table. That probably made a difference but I was still very pleased with the performance.
“Part of the secret of our success is that there are guys fighting to get into the side. Competition for places is a positive.”
How Shannon have managed to prosper in the AIB League in the absence of their contracted players is a lesson for other clubs. Even a template.
“It is club policy to get on with the show. We can call on experienced Munster and international players when required but the business end of this league is done when they are not available. We have a good mix of experience and youth and have some great talent in key positions.”
Buccaneers certainly experienced that on Saturday when they battled gamely up front but found themselves unable to secure the amount or type of possession needed to raise a serious challenge.
Shannon’s old warriors, Eddie Halvey and Colm McMahon, were impressively bolstered by top performances from David Quinlan, Tom Hayes and Tony Buckley, a prop in the same physical category as John Hayes.
From Fiach O’Loughlin out, Shannon wreaked havoc for the entire 80 minutes, with David O’Donovan, Brian Tuohy and Eoin Cahill particularly impressive.
Six of the tries came from the backs and this delighted Galwey who stressed: “The aim of this team has always been to play an expansive game. I was delighted with the way things went, we managed to keep going through phases, managed to keep the ball alive in contact. You will never always get it right but it was encouraging to see them getting a lot of things right.
“The players enjoyed themselves and that’s the important thing in this game. We brought some substitutes on and that even made a difference. If anything, they helped pick up the tempo of the game and that’s what you want to see, guys coming in as impact players and not just making up the numbers.”
The outcome was decided at half-time when Shannon led 17-3 after playing into a strong wind. The sides were level by the midway point with Dave Delaney and Justin Meagher swapping penalties but then Shannon cut loose with two tries in four minutes. Eoin Cahill got the first and Buckley the second, both converted by Delaney.
Shannon take on Cork Constitution at Thomond Park next week in the final match of the campaign. Victory, or even a bonus point in defeat will secure them a home semi final.
But Galwey is conscious that another win could be crucial to Shannon’s hopes of retaining the title. “It will be important for a variety of reasons, not least the fact that winning breeds confidence.”
: J. Meagher, S. Brady, P. O’Sullivan, W. Wallace (captain), M. Madden, E. Moloy, D. Connellan, A. Nash, G. Halligan, E. Bracken, N. Smullen, P. Mybergh, T. Richardson, A. Hanley, E. Brennan.
: C. Glynn for Meagher, D. Kelly for Mybergh (both half time), K. O’Gormon for Bracken (74), B. Campbell for Nash (78).
: D. O’Donovan, I. Dowling, B. Tuohy, E. Cahill, F. McLoughlin, D. Delaney, F. O’Loughlin, L. Hogan, N. Conroy, T. Buckley, E. Halvey, T. Hayes (captain), C. McMahon, D. Quinlan, J. O’Connor.
: T. Cregan for McLoughlin (48, injured), A. Thompson for Delaney, F. Roche for Hogan (both 54), G. Noonan for Halvey (72)
: A. McKay (Ulster)
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