Club News Weekending January 6th 2008

Details of the latest club news from around the province

SHANNON RFC

Andrew McNamara PRO

Cup Number 19 for Shannon and medal No.10 for Colm Mc Mahon

It may not have unfolded in the manner to which many outside the Shannon camp had predicted but Shannon’s 19th claim on the Munster senior Cup last Saturday is a story not only of combined success, but of personnel achievements also.
Shannon have now won the Cup eight times in the last nine years but yet, remarkably 12 players out of the match day 20 were involved in a final for the very first time and thus claimed their only cup medal.
To claim one Munster senior cup medal in their rugby career is an achievement  that most players would gladly take, but imagine adding a further nine to that singular tally and what you would come up with is the number of medals Shannon’s Colm McMahon has now won.
Ten, yes ten Munster senior cup medals is a feat that only two other players have in the history of the competition. Jack O’Connor, a Parish native, won his ten medals for Garryowen back in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, while the man that guided Shannon to the nail biting win over Highfield last Saturday, Mick Galwey, is the other.
Colm’s first medal came in Shannon’s Musgrave Park victory over Cork Constitution in 1996 when he came on as an early replacement for Alan Quinlan.  That was another remarkable season for the Shannon U/20 captain of that year as he won a highly impressive 8 rugby medals at various grades, including an All Ireland League, Munster junior cup and all Ireland Colleges medal.
His medal tally has since expanded considerably and at just 31 years of age there’s every chance that ten could become eleven, and even more.
Of the eight players with previous cup medals prior to Saturday their combined tally also makes for impressive reading.
Andrew Thompson now has nine medals while Captain David Quinlan added another to his previous five and he has now lifted the Munster senior cup as Captain on three occasions.
Mossy Lawlor, Fiach O’Loughlin and David O’Donovan have five medals a piece while Padraic O’Brien and Tony Buckley have just one less.  Hooker Sean Cronin, although playing in his first final had one medal from 2005/06.

There are a few other stories to come from last Saturday’s outcome.  For Munster Branch President Gerry O’Loughlin it was a proud day also. Not only had his club just won, but he was to present his son Fiach and Son in Law Andrew Thompson with their fifth and ninth medals respectively.
But perhaps the proudest man in Musgrave Park was Shannon legend Frankie O’Flynn. Any day Frankie gets to lead his beloved Shannon club in the Isle is a proud day for the great man, but after witnessing his two grandson’s involvement in Saturday’s victory, well nothing could be better.
Frankie was on Shannon’s first ever Munster senior cup success way back in 1960 and last Saturday that torch of tradition was carried on when 21 year old Leonard Mullane started in the backrow and his 19 year old brother Richie was on the replacement bench.

There’s no one denying that the Munster senior cup may not have the standing it once had as the premier club competition, but for Shannon it is the second most important venture, after the AIB league, that they strive for every year, however, the achievements of the likes of Colm McMahon and his colleagues will never be diminished.

Shannon RFC Munster senior cup statistics.

Shannon have played in 56 Munster Senior cup’s as a senior club (57, including once as a junior club) competitions since 1953.

They have played 155 games, winning 99, losing 36, and drawing 20

They have appeared in 25 finals winning 19 times, 18 of which came in the last 31 years.

They have also won their last 13 all Limerick finals since 1974.

Shannon have now "Taken" the cup out of Cork in their last four Musgrave Park final appearances.

Garryowen and Young Munster are Shannon’s most frequent Final opponents with 7 finals each.  

Shannon have appeared in 21 of the last 32 finals (since 1976/77)

KILLORGLIN RFC

Killorglin Rugby Club Seniors hosted the old foe Castleisland in the Munster Junior League on Sunday last.  Unfortunately they lost the game 15-8.  Killorglin’s try came in the 15th minute, courtesy of Vivian O Callaghan.  They then conceded three tries, putting them 15-5 behind in injury time, but a last gasp penalty from Brian Gannon, making the final score 15-8, ensuring them a losing bonus point in the process.
The seniors travel to St Marys, Limerick on Sunday next the 6th January, at 2:30 in Corbally.  All Support are welcome.
Senior Team Training takes place Every Tuesday at 7pm and Fridays at 7:30pm at the Dragon’s Den All-weather pitch.  All new players are welcome.
Also, the club’s annual Quiz night will take place in the Soda Club on Thursday February 7th at 8pm.  Teams of four cost €40 and all are welcome.