Shannon set up semi-final clash with Garryowen

Shannon 31 Belfast Harlequins 15

Champions Shannon will have to vault over Garryowen next Saturday if they are to continue on the road to a third Division One title in as many seasons.

Mick Galwey’s men set up a mouth-watering semi-final clash away to their Limerick rivals as both sides earned bonus point wins this afternoon. Shannon maintained their place in fourth, and Garryowen finished first in the standings, meaning home advantage for the play-offs.

At Thomond Park, Shannon showed that they have lost none of their desire, chalking up five tries on the way to a 31-15 defeat of Belfast Harlequins.

Off the back of last week’s Ulster Senior Cup triumph, ‘Quins made the trip south with some pep in their step but a poor start meant they were always chasing them game.

With the feint hope of a ‘home’ semi-final, Shannon attacked at will in the first half and were rewarded with three tries. Two-and-a-half minutes in and scrum half Frankie McNamara crossed for their opener.

Munster utility back Mossie Lawlor made a great break up the left wing, he flung the ball inside for prop Les Hogan, who showed his athleticism to gather the ball in and drive up close to the line before a neat back-flip pass from Under-20 centre John Cloghan put McNamara over. Out-half Dave Delaney converted for his 90th point of the season.

‘Quins out-half Johnny McClaughlin was wide to the right with an eighth-minute penalty but he made amends on 14 minutes, slotting over from the left wing for 7-3. Delaney scooped a lengthy shot wide, but Shannon were soon in the tries again.

McNamara tapped a quick penalty in midfield making some headway before flanker Colm McMahon took it on. McMahon, captain this season out-muscled the ‘Quins defence when making a beeline for left corner and his timely offload put centre Brian Tuohy over for his sixth try of the campaign.

Delaney missed the conversion but more than made up for it in injury-time as after ‘Quins scrum half Roger Kirkwood’s ruck delivery was spoiled, Delaney gathered his own kick ahead for an opportunist try.

Nine minutes into the second half, another jinking run from full back Lawlor saw Tuohy scurrying over in the right corner. Just past the hour, the loyal Shannon support were toasting their side’s fifth try as the impressive Cloghan passed for Lawlor to net a deserved score.

31-3 in front, Shannon took their foot off the pedal and full-back Mark Kettyle (70 minutes) and replacement lock Rowan Forst (75) grabbed consolation tries for ‘Quins.

Scorers: Shannon: Tries: Frankie McNamara, Brian Tuohy 2, Dave Delaney, Mossie Lawlor; Cons: Delaney 2, Tadhg Bennett

Harlequins: Tries: Mark Kettyle, Rowan Frost; Con: Michael Glancy; Pen: Johnny McClaughlin