AIB All Ireland League Finals
12th May 2006 By Munster Rugby
Best of luck to both Shannon and Clonakilty in their respective AIB All Ireland League Finals on Saturday in Lansdowne Road. Click here for more details
Saturday 13th May 2006
Lansdowne Road
Division One Final
Clontarf v Shannon
Kick Off 4pm
Division Three Final
Clonakilty v Suttonians
Kick Off 2pm
We would like to take this opportunity to wish both Shannon and Clonakilty the very best of luck in their respective AIB League Finals on Saturday at Lansdowne Road.
Shannon play Clontarf after their dramatic injury time win over Garryowen at Dooradoyle last Saturday in the Division One Final at 4pm. Preceding that game is the Division Three Final, with Clonakilty hoping to take the title when they play Suttonians at 2pm.
The AIB League Division Two final between Terenure College and Dolphin, scheduled for this Saturday at Lansdowne Road, has been postponed until a later date.
Division Three League Final Statistics
* Last five AIB League games this season: Clonakilty: WWWWW; Suttonians: WWWLW
* The regulation AIB League fixture between the two clubs took place on Saturday, January 7 last at Station road with Suttonians running out 23-12 winners.
* Clonakilty beat Bruff 24-3 in the Division Three semi-final – Suttonians got the better of Wanderers, winning 23-10.
* Beginning in the 2001/02 season, the two clubs have met five times in the AIB League with the ‘home’ team winning on each occasion.
* Greystones are the only club promoted out of Division Three that have later gone on to win the Division Three final.
* Suttonians won Division Four in 1996/97 with a 100% success story during their nine-match campaign.
* Both clubs in Saturday’s final were losing Division Three semi-finalists last season.
* Saturday will mark the second Leinster v Munster Division Three final – in 2003, Wanderers beat Waterpark 51-5 at Lansdowne Road.
* Clonakilty won the Junior Clubs’ Round Robin Series in 2000/01 and have just finished five seasons in AIB League Division Three.
* Suttonians won the Leinster League in 1995/96 and were promoted to the senior ranks – they have the last six seasons in Division Three.
* Clonakilty’s Noel O’Sullivan (17 tries) joins James Blaney of Division Two outfit Terenure College as the top try scorer in the entire League this season.
* A Munster club has never won the Division Three Championship.
Division One League Final Statistics
As the build-up to Saturday’s AIB League finals continues, rugby statistician Des Daly takes a look at some pointers for the Division One decider between Clontarf and Shannon.
* Last five AIB League games this season: Clontarf: WWWWW; Shannon: LWWWW
* The regulation AIB League fixture between the two clubs this season took place on Saturday, January 21 last at Castle Avenue. The result was 32-18 in Clontarf’s favour.
* Clontarf beat Cork Constitution 26-6 to win through to the final. Shannon got the better of Garryowen, winning 21-20.
* Beginning in the 1977/98 season, the two clubs have played 11 AIB League games against each other – with the Limerick men currently leading 9-2.
* Clontarf have lost twice before to Shannon at the semi-final stage – both games were staged in Limerick.
* Clontarf play in their second final – in 2003, they lost the Division One decider to Ballymena (28-18).
* Shannon are on a hat-trick of Championship wins – they have won the title seven times since the League’s inception in 1990/91.
* Shannon have made the final for the fourth time in five seasons and have won the title four times in the last nine seasons.
* Shannon have won all nine play-off matches that they have contested and are competing on finals day for the fifth time since 1998.
* A Munster club graces Division One final for the seventh time in nine seasons – a Leinster club for the third seasons in nine.
* Only three of the nine Division One table-toppers at the end of the regulation season have been crowned champions in the following weeks.
* There have been no previous Leinster club v Munster club Division One finals.
* Saturday’s game sees an Irish coach – Mick Galwey of Shannon – go head-to-head against a New Zealander – Clontarf coach Phil Werahiko.
* Shannon won the title four times in the 1990s and on Saturday they are seeking their fourth title since the turn of the century.
Statistics courtesy of www.irishrugby.ie
Shannon AIB League Final Squad
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Mossy Lawlor Fullback |
Has Played Heineken cup this season with Munster. Former Irish U/21 captain. Has started 9 AIL Games. 3 Tries & 1 drop Goal Has 3 AIL medals and 4 Munster senior cups. Has played with Shannon since U/12 |
26 years old |
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David O Donovan Winger |
Played for Irish Colleges. Started 10 AIL games and has played in all 16. Top try scorer with 5. 2 AIL & 4 senior cups. plays Fullback or winger. Played all his rugby with Shannon |
25 years old |
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Pat O Connor Winger |
Played Irish Colleges this season. Joined Shannon at the start of the season from Cashel. Started 8 AIL games.1 try. 1 Senior cup medal. Student in LIT |
24 |
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Andrew Thompson Centre |
Played Munster U/20, Irish U/21and Irish Students and Colleges. He played with English side Bedford for a season in 1999/00 a former club captain in 2000/01. Only player in the country to hold 7 AIL titles Has 7 Munster senior cup medals. Top 1st Division points scorer of all time with 994, a remarkable achievement considering that he has not been regular place kicker since 1997. has played AIL since 1993. 72 points , 2 tries, 13 conversions ,11 penalties,1 drop Goal He has kicked 26/32 attempts at goal (81% success rate) Quantity Surveyor. Brother in Law of Clontarf scrum half Fiach O Loughlin |
32 Years Old |
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Eoin Cahill Centre |
Vice Captain . Eoin has played Munster Junior representative. Has 3 Munster Senior cup Medals. And 2 AIL titles.3 tries( scored two in semi final) . 14 starts. Plumber. Joined Shannon from Bruff in |
25 years old |
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Brian Tuohy Winger/centre |
Contracted to Munster, but leaves for Rotherham at the end of the season. 3 years with Shannon. Has Started all 16 AIL games. Top try scorer with 7. 2 AIL s and 3 senior cups. Played in Hong Kong 7 s last season for Ireland |
23 years old |
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John Clogan Centre |
Member of Shannon s All Ireland winning U/20 side. Started against Belfast Harlequins . Has come through Shannon s underage structure |
20 years old |
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Mark Tuohy winger |
Started 1 AIL game and come as a replacement 4 times. Has 1 AIL and 2 senior cups. Brother of Brian. |
27 |
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David Delaney Outhalf |
Top Points scorer 108 points 2 Tries, 16 Conv, 22 Penalties Joined Shannon in 1999, but Played for one season with Galwegians 2 years ago. Started 11 AIL games. 2 AIL and 3 senior cups. Came on as a replacement in the Club International. |
25 years old |
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Tadgh Bennett Out half |
Another U/20 player who came into the senior squad late in the season. Kicked a last minute drop goal to win the U/20 AIL final against Trinity. Scored a conversion in his only senior appearance |
20 years old |
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Frankie Mc Namara Scrumhalf |
Has 3 AIL titles, 2 from Shannon s 4 in a row of the nineties. Has started all games this season 2 Tries .with Shannon since U/12. |
29 years old |
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Les Hogan Prop |
1 Try. Started 15games and came on as a replacement in the other. Has 1 Ail and 3 senior cups. |
25 |
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Trevor Downes Prop |
Has 2 senior cups and 1 AIL, has appeared 5 times as replacement. Joined Shannon from Kilrush in 2003 |
26 |
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Sean Cronin Hooker |
Has been 1st choice for most of the season. U/20 player who won AIL Title with Shannon s U/20 team last month . Was on Ireland U/21 Squad this season. Played schools international. Student of Business Studies. 13 starts, 3 tries. |
20 years old |
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Gary Mc Namara Prop |
Has started 8 games and came on as replacement in 6 others. Has 3 AIL s and 5 senior cups. Played with Shannon since 12 years old. Electrician. |
27 |
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TJ Hickey Hooker |
First AIL start of the season. Dual status player with Cashel. Has come on as a replacement in 12 games Started one game V Belfast Harlequins |
24 |
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Trevor Hogan Second row |
1 International Cap V Japan 2005. Munster contracted. Leaves for Leinster at the end of the season, but will continue to play club rugby with Shannon. Started 4 AIL Games . Qualified Journalist 2 AIL medals |
26 years old |
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Padraic O Brien Second row |
Started all AIL games. Son Of former Ireland team manager Brian O Brien.1try. Sales Rep 2 AIL& 3 senior cup. Played for a season with Gordon, Australia. Won Man of the match in Semi final v Garryowen |
26 |
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David Keane Second row |
Has two AIL and 3 senior cup medals . has started 5 games and come on as a replacement in 6 |
25 |
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Colm Mc Mahon Backrow |
Club captain. Was out of action for 8 Ail games after damaging his Ankle in the first Ail game of the season. Former Munster contracted. 5 AIL titles and 9 Senior cups. With Shannon since U/16.1 try |
29 years old |
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John O Connor Backrow |
Contracted to Munster. Has played Celtic league Captained Ireland U/19 s. 3 AIL & 5 senior cups. Hold a degree in Business and Accountancy .1 Try. 10 AIL starts |
23 years old |
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Donnacha Ryan Second row/backrow |
Member of Munster s Academy. Student of Commerce and Irish. From Nenagh and played with UCC. Joined at the start of the season. Normally a 2nd row, but has played at No.6 & No.8 this season. Was selected on club International side, but injury ruled him out. 13 starts .2 Tries |
22 years old |
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John Hadnett Backrow/second row |
Dual status , junior club- Clanwilliam. Was previously a Shannon player with 1 AIL meadal, but joined Clanwilliam last Season. Played his first game for Shannon in the semi final when he came on as a replacement. |
28 |
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Antoin Meany backrow |
9 starts and 2 appearances as replacement. Played Munster schools .1 AIL and 2 senior cups . Owns a highly successful pub in Limerick |
29 |
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Stephen Keogh No.8 |
Contracted to Munster , but leaves for Leinster at the end of the season . Will remain Shannon player though. Stephen is a former Irish schools and U/21 player. 2 AIL titles, 3 senior cups. Played in 3 AIL games . |
24 years old |
Shannon Stats And Facts, AIB League 2005/06 (including semi final)
Shannon have won 14 out of 16 games in the AIB league so far( 2 losses V Clontarf & Garryowen)
Shannon have scored 378 points to date- 42 tries, 30 conversions, 33penalties, 3 drop goal
Shannon have conceded 220 points to date, and conceded tries in 8 games ,24 tries (1 pen Try), 23 penalties, 11conversions, 3drop goal. Points difference +158
Shannon have 56 league points including 4 bonus points for scoring 4 or more tries (V St Mary s , V UL/Bohemian, Ballymena, Belfast Harlequins)
Shannon s points average per game is 24 and they have conceded an average of just over 13 They have averaged 2.5 tries per game
Shannon Have 20 different Try Scorers
29 tries have come from backs and 13 from forwards.
Shannon have scored first in 7 game and have been behind at half time four times
Top Points scorer David Delaney 108 points 2 Tries, 16 Conv, 22 Penalties 37/55 kicks successful( 68% success rate)
Other place kicker Andrew Thompson 72 points , 2 tries, 13 conversions ,11 penalties,1 drop Goal. He has kicked 26/32 attempts at goal (81% success rate)
He has scored 994 points in the AIL
Top try scorer
7 Tries Brian Tuohy
5 Tries – David O Donovan,
4 Tries Mossy Lawlor
3 Tries Sean Cronin, Eoin Cahill
2 Tries – Andrew Thompson, Ian Dowling, Donnacha Ryan,
Frankie Mc Namara, Dave Delaney
1 Try – John O Connor, Les Hogan , Padraic O Brien, Eddie Halvey, Frankie Roche, Tony Buckley, Fionn Mc Loughlin, Colm Mc Mahon, Pat O Connor, David Keane,
Shannon have used 35 players to date in the AIB League
3 players have started all 15 games.(Padraic O Brien Frankie Mc Namara, Brian Tuohy)
Additional Shannon All Ireland League Information
Shannon are one of only three clubs to be ever present in the All Ireland league first division since it s inception in 1990/91. Cork Constitution and Garryowen are the others
Shannon have won the All Ireland league on seven occasions.,1995,96,97,98 & 2002,2004,2005
Shannon have played, and won four AIL finals ,
24th April 1998 Shannon 15 Garryowen 9
4th May 2002 Shannon 21 Cork Constitution 17
8th May 2004 Shannon 22 Cork Constitution 16
7th May 2005 Shannon 25 Belfast Harlequins 20
Andrew Thompson is Shannon s all time highest AIL scorer with 994 points
Andrew Thompson has Seven AIL Titles, Both Colm Mc Mahon &,Eddie Halvey have Five,
Mossy Lawlor, Frankie Roche, Frankie Mc Namara, Gary Mc Namara, John O Connor all have three.
Coach Mick Galwey also has six AIL Medals while Assistant coach Ian Sherwin has three
Shannon have not lost a final which they competed in since 1989 including, 4 All Ireland League Finals 11 Munster senior cup Finals 4 Munster senior league Finals
6 Limerick Charity Cup Finals 1 All Ireland 7 s Final
The last final defeat came in the Munster senior cup final, 1989 when Cork Constitution beat them by a very late penalty. Shannon were going for 4 titles in a row.
Shannon won 18 consecutive All Ireland league games (between last season and this), before final opponents Clontarf beat them
The average age of the Shannon squad for the final is just over 24 years old
3 of Shannon s All Ireland winning side are in the squad for the final,(Sean Cronin, John Clogan, Tadgh Bennett)
There are 55 ALL Ireland league medals amongst the Shannon squad.
Shannon have introduced 8 players to division One rugby this season
Andrew Thompson and Colm Mc Mahon (as replacement) are the only playing link to the first ever AIL final in 1998. Shannon 15 Garryowen 12.
