Shannon fall to fellow strugglers Old Belvedere

Old Belvedere 31 Shannon 16

Old Belvedere made it two wins on the bounce under new player-coach Andy Dunne with a determined display at home to fellow strugglers Shannon.

Today’s win has moved ‘Belvo to within one point of Blackrock College and Shannon (both 22 points) in a fascinating relegation battle, with two rounds remaining in Division 1A.

Shannon fell foul of referee Mark Patton early on at Anglesea Road and a ninth minute penalty from young winger Josh Glynn got the hosts off the mark.

Leinster’s Leo Auva’a powered forward from a scrum on the right and space was created for the ever dangerous Daniel Riordan to make it over out wide.

Glynn missed the conversion and Shannon out-half Tadhg Bennett replied three minutes later, popping over his first penalty after good work from Aaron Spring.

Glynn cancelled out those three points with his second successful penalty at the midpoint of the half, before both kickers sent efforts wide of the target.

A well-struck penalty from Bennett closed the gap to 11-6 approaching half-time, but Shannon blundered at the restart and ‘Belvo coasted in for a soft try scored by current Ireland Under-20 international Jack Conan.

Although the conversion was missed, Shannon suffered a further setback when their player-coach Stephen Keogh was forced off with a knock shortly after his introduction.

16-6 down at the break, the Limerick men lost lock Fergal Walsh to a yellow card and Glynn mopped up with a penalty from in front of the posts.

Flanker Conan broke through for his second try of the afternoon in the 69th minute, with a dummy giving him enough space to crash over and Aidan Wynne converted.

Three minutes later, a missed touch kick from Bennett was punished with ‘Belvo’s bonus point try. Winger David Mongan showed a clean pair of heels to the cover to score in the corner.

Shannon continued to fluff their lines, lacking the invention and composure to finish off some threatening attacks until the last minute when a recovered Keogh burst clean through from 40 metres to score a consolation try.

Bennett converted to reduce the arrears to 15 points, but Old Belvedere were already home and hosed and looking to their final two games against Lansdowne and Cork Constitution.

Scorers: Old Belvedere: Tries: Daniel Riordan, Jack Conan 2, David Mongan; Con: Aidan Wynne; Pens: Josh Glynn 3

Shannon: Try: Stephen Keogh; Con: Tadhg Bennett; Pens: Tadhg Bennett 3

HT: Old Belvedere 16 Shannon 6