Late try gives Shannon win over Clontarf

Clontarf 12 Shannon 14

The east coast wind and rain failed to stop a re-jigged Shannon side from taking the spoils at Castle Avenue as they avenged last season’s 17-11 loss to Clontarf with left winger Tom Cregan kicking them to a 14-12 win.

Both sides were hit by defections from last night’s Celtic League fixtures, with Shannon worse off – losing four of their usual XV with centre Jason Jones-Hughes, substituted in the province’s 29-21 success over Borders, warming the bench.

With kick-off delayed by five minutes by referee Dave McHugh, Shannon took the lead through two first half Cregan penalties.

Just eight minutes after the restart 29-year-old Clontarf winger Daragh McElligott sprinted clear of the Limerick side’s cover for out-half Dave McAllister to converted them into the lead.

A Cregan penalty on 68 minutes, his 24th of the season putting him on 152 points for the season, edged Shannon back in front before a 78th minute try, brilliantly run from his own 22 by Clontarf fullback Daragh O’Shea, put the home side 12-9 in front with McAllister critically missing the conversion.

Right wing Brian Tuohy stepped up in injury time to hand Shannon their fifth away success in six games, as he touched down in the right corner to cruelly deny Clontarf.

Scorers:

Clontarf: Tries: Daragh McElligott, Daragh O’Shea; Con: Dave McAllister

Shannon: Try: Brian Tuohy; Pen: Tom Cregan 3