Galwey: 'Win is impossible to describe'

Victorious Shannon coach Mick Galwey found it hard to put words on his side’s 21-20 semi-final win over their Limerick rivals Garryowen this afternoon.

The reigning champions pulled through to their third successive Division One final – Shannon were winners in both 2004 and 2005 – as out-half David Delaney kicked a last-minute penalty.

Garryowen had put one foot in the final when full back Conor Kilroy belted an 80th-minute penalty – his fifth of the afternoon, adding to his own 18th-minute try, but after a series of attacks, hands in the ruck allowed Delaney to reply, four minutes into injury time.

Former Munster, Ireland and Lions lock Galwey, in his second season in charge of Shannon, said: “It's impossible to describe that game. Conor Kilroy kicked a brilliant penalty and that kick probably deserved to win it for Garryowen.

“But I have great faith in these players and their true spirit really came through in the end – they never gave up and fair dues to them.”

Garryowen boss Paul Cunningham, who confirmed afterwards that this is his last season at Dooradoyle, admitted: “That was a great kick from Conor. I thought that was the winning of it.

“The lads are just devastated. Both sides played some good rugby, given the wind out there. To be six points up (11-5) at half time, having played with the wind, to be brutally honest – I was delighted.

“Things didn’t go our way at the end, but these players will be back. They won 14 out of 15 games in the League this year, and given the size of the competition, that’s some record. Garryowen will be back challenging for titles but unfortunately, I won’t be around to help them.”