Rugby: Shannon survive Munster's fightback

YOUNG MUNSTER 18 SHANNON 25

A large crowd at Clifford Park, to witness this age-old Limerick derby, which didn't disappoint.

On a fine day for running rugby, both sides looked the part, but in the end, it was the visitors just holding out for a 7pt win.

Playing with the stiff breeze, Shannon were well on top in the first half, international scrum-half Peter Stringer causing havoc with his box-kicks.

It was from one such kick that the first Shannon try came, full-back John Lacey following up to get the touchdown.

Shannon added two more first-half tries, courtesy of a quick-thinking line-out quick-throw from the tallest man on the field John Langford, to the smallest man on the field, Peter Stringer, contributed to another Lacey try, following an Andrew box-kick.

Half-time, 25-6 to Shannon, and only one team in it.

The second half, Munsters considerably upped their game.

Full-back Eamonn Buckley went to out-half in a direct switch with Michael Lynch, and the move paid dividends, as Buckley was much more successful in getting his line moving, and putting in the little kicks.

Two tries in this half, both to Munsters; the first, in the 55th minute, after a great forward drive, converted by Lynch; the second, a super move, finished after a terrific angled run into the line by Mullins, who touched down under the posts. Lynch converted.

Young Munster could have tied it in the end, but plentiful possession was wasted time and again by knock-ons, turnovers in the tackle.

Typical was the move that ended the game, four minutes into injury time.

Young Munster had created the overlap, only for left wing Clem Casey to knock on, a clear run ahead.

YOUNG MUNSTER: E.Buckley; C.Casey, M.Mullins, L.Doyle, F.Hogan; M.Lynch (capt), D.Reddan; P.Clohessy, T.Lane, M.Fitzgerald; D.Peters, P.O'Connell; M.T'Pau, K.Gallagher, M.Ngarimu. Subs: C.Power for Peters, 47; PJ McLouglin for Lane, 47; Lane for McLouglin inj. 76.

SHANNON: J.Lacey; J.O'Neill, A.Thompson, J.Davis, M.Lawlor; D.Delaney, P.Stringer; J.Hayes, F.Roche, M.Horan; B.Buckley, J.Langford; A.Quinlan, C.McMahon, D.Quinlan. Subs: A.Foley for A.Quinlan, inj 30; M.Galwey for Buckley, 48; Jason Hayes for O'Neill, 65.

REFEREE: D.McHugh (M.A.R).

SCORING SEQUENCE:

5m: Michael Lynch, Young Munster, penalty, 3-0

12m: Andrew Thompson, Shannon, penalty, 3-3

15m: Andrew Thompson, Shannon, penalty, 3-6

18m: John Lacey, Shannon, try, missed convert Thompson, 3-11

21m: Peter Stringer, Shannon, try, convert Thompson, 3-18

28m: Michael Lynch, Young Munster, penalty, 6-18

35m: John Lacey, Shannon, try, convert Thompson, 6-25

HALF-TIME: Young Munster 6 Shannon 25

55m: Kieran Gallagher, Young Munster, try, convert Lynch, 11-25

68m: Mike Mullins, Young Munster, try, convert Lynch, 18-25