Shannon win closest of finals

Clontarf 19 Shannon 19 (after extra-time; Shannon win on ‘first try scored’ ruling)

Shannon had to dig deeper than ever to claim their ninth AIB League Division One title after an epic 100-minute battle with Clontarf at Thomond Park today.

The sides were locked level at 19-19 after 80 minutes and that was still the case after two halves of extra-time, in what was a tremendous advert for Irish club rugby.

The try count-back could not split the finalists - they scored two tries each - but Shannon were crowned champions by virtue of the fact that they scored the game’s first try.

Full-back David O’Donovan grabbed that all-important score, 23 minutes into the decider, when he linked with Tadhg Bennett before powering over in the right corner.

Losing in such a way was cruel luck on Clontarf who were bidding for their first win in three Division One finals.

With six minutes remaining in extra-time, the north Dubliners were inches away from grabbing the match-winning try but replacement Max Rantz-McDonald agonisingly lost the ball forward as he stretched for the line.

Scorers:

Clontarf: Tries: Heinrich Stride, Simon Crawford; Pens: Daragh O’Shea 3

Shannon: Tries: David O’Donovan 2; Pens: Tadhg Bennett 2; Drop: Tadhg Bennett