Bennett holds nerve as Shannon edge UL Bohs in cup final

Shannon 24 UL Bohemian 22

Shannon regained the trophy courtesy of a 30-metre Tadgh Bennett penalty with the last kick of the game. Shannon dominated the first half and led by 16-3 shortly after the turnover. But UL Bohs gradually gained the upper hand and after 67 minutes were 22-16 in front. However Shannon came again and after a try by number eight John Shine, they grabbed the spoils with Bennett’s heroics near the touchline. Shannon Director of Rugby Ian Sherwin was delighted with Saturday’s victory but is well aware of the challenge ahead.

“We had five guys playing their first ever senior game in last week’s Charity Cup semi-final and four of today’s squad had never played a senior game,” he pointed out.

“We are in rebuilding mode and now we move on to a Munster Cup game against Bruff next Saturday and the AIL the following week.”

Colm Tucker continues as UL Bohs coach and claimed there were many positives. “We have had a huge turnover and have lost three particularly key players but we have a good few guys coming back from Munster 20s duty. We meet Cork Con in the Munster Senior Cup at Annacotty next Saturday. Having lost to them in injury time in last year’s final, the hurt is still there and it’s a result we’d like to avenge.”

Scorers for Shannon: J Murphy, J Shine tries; T Bennett 3 pens, drop goal, 1 con

Scorers for UL Bohemian: R Burke try, 4 pens, J Sutton try.

SHANNON: D O’Donovan; C Cunnane, S Horgan, T Tobin, R Hunt; T Bennett, R Guerin; N Horan, D Casey capt, J Cronin, K White, C Gleeson, K Power, J Murphy, L Mullane.

Rolling replacements: A O’Brien, T Cusack, M O’Sullivan, J Shine, R Humphreys, P Kearns, C Burns, R O’Doherty.

UL BOHEMIAN: P Bolger; R Burke, M Lawler, F Ryan, R White; T Rafferty, D Farrell; V O’Regan, J Sutton, K Hanson, C Irwin, E Kelly capt, F Cross, K McManus, I Condell.

Rolling replacements: D Coady, D Carroll, P Quill, C Flanagan, R Buckley, S Airey, M Egan.

Referee: K Imbush (IRFU).