Weekend Rugby Round-Up

Shannon won their 16th Munster Senior Cup title and their fifth victory over Garryowen in the six titles contested by these two great Limerick sides.

Highfield moved closer to promotion to the Second Division of the AIL, as Shannon made history by becoming the first side to win the Munster Senior Cup for the fifth season in a row, after their 28-10 victory over Garryowen in the Final at Thomond Park.

Shannon won their 16th Munster Senior Cup title and their fifth victory over Garryowen in the six titles contested by these two great Limerick sides. While Shannon deserved their victory the score line flattered them as the Light Blues were in the contest up to the final few minutes when they trailed by five points.

Tom Cregan opened the scoring with a penalty for Shannon and two tries in a three minute burst on the half hour from David O Donovan and Brian Tuohy and a conversion gave Shannon a 15-0 lead. Jeremy Staunton landed a penalty to open Garryowen s account two minutes before the break. A try from Clem Casey fourteen minutes into the second half, converted by Staunton, left five points between the sides as the game came to life.

Cregan steadied Shannon s nerves with a penalty five minutes from time and then in injury time Mossie Lawlor and Cregan got in for tries and the celebrations started with the singing of There is an Isle . Highfield now only need to beat Corinthians at Woodleigh Park next Saturday to be sure of promotion to the Second Division of the Ail, after their hard earned 8-6 victory over Instonians in Belfast. Rory Cogan scored a try for the winners and Gethin Worgan kicked a penalty.

Clonakilty ended their home campaign with a 33-3 win over Skerries but only managed three tries, with Shay O Donovan getting two and Gary Cribb one, Cribb kicked three conversions and four penalties. U.C.C. are through to the final of the Under 10 millennium Cup where they will meet Belfast harlequins in the decider. The students defeated Bruff by 44-10, but the score line does not do justice a great performance by the Limerick side.

Every thing went right for College on the day who scored six tries to two from Bruff. Garryowen put up a brave performance in Belfast before going under 18-13. Skibbereen are through to final of the Cork County Cup after 38-18 win over holders Cobh Pirates. They must now await the winners of the Crosshaven Fermoy semi-final. Crosshaven defeated Bandon 22-17 and Fermoy played a 14-14 draw with Muskerry but advanced on the first try scored rule.

Dolphin and Muskerry are through to the final of the Junior Two Cup. Dolphin had an easy 41-13 win over U.C.C. and Muskerry caused a surprise with a 13-11 win over Bandon after extra time. Newcastle West won the O Carroll Plate Final, when they defeated Nenagh Ormond 21-14 in the final at Bruff. Nenagh Ormond and Clonmel will meet next week in the semi-final of the Mansergh Cup.

Nenagh defeated Thurles 43-5 and Clonmel had a 30-0 win over Carrick-on-Suir. Old Christians defeated Bandon 17-9 to reach the final of the Junior Three Cup. Killorglin needed extra time to see off the challenge of Clonakilty and book their place in the semi-final. Skibbereen second side are through to final of the Junior Four Cup after they defeated Corca Dhuibhne 32-12.

They must now await the winners of the other semi-final between Mallow and Midleton. Mallow caused a major shock when defeating Fermoy 25-18 after extra time in their quarter final tie. In the Tait Cup, Carrigaline are through to the quarter finals after they defeated Shandon and will now face Clonakilty.

Both U.C.C. and Sunday s Well are through to the semi-finals. The students defeated Bandon 22-5 and Sunday s Well got the better of Cork transport on a 38-12 score line.

RESULTS:

Under 20 Millennium Cup Semi-Finals: Belfast Harlequins 18 Garryowen 13; U.C.C. 44 Bruff 10;

Munster Senior Cup Final: Garryowen 10 Shannon 28;

Cork County Cup: Crosshaven 22 Bandon 17; Muskerry 14 Fermoy 14 (aet); Skibbereen 38 Cobh Pirates 18;

Mansergh Cup: Carrick-on-Suir 0 Clonmel 30; Thurles 5 Nenagh Ormond 43;

Junior Two Cup Semi-Finals: Dolphin 41 U.C.C. 13; Bandon 11 Muskerry 13 (aet);

Junior Three Cup: Killorglin 30 Clonakilty 25 (aet); Old Christians 17 Bandon 9;

Junior Four Cup: Fermoy 18 Mallow 25(aet); Skibbereen 32 Corca Dhuibhne 12;

Tait Cup: Carrigaline 24 Shandon 3; Cork Transport 12 Sunday’s Well 38; U.C.C. 22 Bandon 5;