Club Notes: Week Ending 13.09.13

9th September 2013 By Munster Rugby

This week’s club notes come from Shannon and Waterford City rugby clubs.

Courtesy of Siofra Scanlan, Club PRO

A solid performance over Young Munster in a well fought local derby gave Shannon their first win of the season.

The first half was full of great rugby with both sides enjoying the run on the field after the summer break. Both Young Munster and Shannon looked match fit and well up for the game. Always a great clash with local pride at stake more than anything, both played very well and matched each other in the opening minutes. Shannon however came off better gaining early advantage from positive outfield play. An early missed scoring opportunity kicked just wide of the posts did not dampen Shannon’s spirits. The next 10 -15 minutes of the match were the two sides battling each other in the rucks and scrums for possession and field advantage. After some good movement from the Shannon backs and pressure on the Young Munster defence line, Shannon gained another penalty which was converted by Rob Guerin. Shannon were now leading 3-0. Next few minutes provided some more great play. Good solid pressure play resulted in another penalty for Shannon, which Tadhg Bennett converted confidently bringing the score to 6-0. 25 minutes into the game now and Young Munster were trying to gain ground and force Shannon to defend. Young Munster drove on but Shannon held them well and prevented them from finding any space to move forward. Shannon had the ball now but a few silly ball handling mistakes and plays, now gave Young Munster a penalty. They made no mistake in putting some points on the board with Brian Haugh on target.

After the restart and Young Munster seemed to have the upper hand with advantage going their way and them making full use of it. They now attacked the Shannon defensive line again but this time found a gap. Brain Haugh the try scorer but kicked the conversion attempt just wide. The score now stood Shannon 6 Young Munster 8. All to play for. A little bit of tension boiled over on both sides just before the half time, which resulted in a yellow card for Young Munster. Another penalty given to Shannon was kicked just wide. The score remained Shannon 6 Young Munster 8 at half time.

Second half and Shannon had to gain the game back to stay in the cup chase. Young Munster were not going to make that any easier in the half. The two teams battled once again for the first 15 minutes of the second half with neither gaining much advantage from Line outs or play. Shannon did miss another penalty but regained themselves and made their way into Young Munster’s half with clever passing, kicking and great runs up the side of the pitch. Shannon now were sneaking closer to the the line. With a wonderful pass to David O’Donovan who found space, he was over the try line for a great score. Rob Guerin again with a successful kick and Shannon were back on the game. The score now Shannon 13 Young Munster 8. Young Munster tried to get back into the game with some attacking play but Shannon managed to hold them off for another few minutes with more great defensive play. Shannon were on there way back up the field into Young Munster territory but a Shannon player being held back resulted in another penalty to the home side. Rob Guerin once again doing the honors and adding more points to the board. The score was now a healthy 16-8. There was only a few minutes left and Young Munster tried to come back. A few minutes before full time they gained advantage and made a run for the Shannon try line. Mike Madden for Young Munster, unfortunately finding lots of space and was over. The conversion was unsuccessful and as the full time whistle blew it was a great win for Shannon by 16-13.

1st half scorers: Pen-Rob Guerin (Shannon), Pen- Tadhg Bennett (Shannon), Pen-Brian Haugh (Young Munster), Try-Brian Haugh (Young Munster)

2nd half scorers: Try- David O’Donovan (Shannon) Convert-Rob Guerin (Shannon), Pen-Rob Guerin (Shannon), Try-Mike Madden (Young Munster).

Shannon Team:
David O’Donovan, Greg O’Shea, Tadhg Leader, Cormac O’Donnell, Johnny Paradise, Tadhg Bennett, Rob Guerin
Rowan Humphries, James Murphy, Leonard Mullane, Cronin Gleeson, Keith White, Jason Cronin, Duncan Casey, Niall Horan
Subs:
Graham Brichfield, David Byrne, Ross Newstam, Ciarain Power, Ciaran Cunanne, Ronan O’Doherty, Gearoid Lyons

Waterford City RFC

Courtesy of:- Damien Kennedy, Club PRO

Narrow loss for City in Garryowen Cup

Waterford City RFC 8, Clonmel RFC 13

Waterford City ran 1st Division side Clonmel close in the opening round of the Garryowen Cup last Friday night in Kilbarry, City came out of the blocks early and dominated the opening 20 mins of the game with the scrum being the key area , back rowers Cian Foskin and Sean O Mahoney seemed to be everywhere and No 8 Trevor Griffin kept punching holes in the Clonmel defense.

Good link play between forwards and backs led to City finding themselves just 10 meters from the Clonmel tryline where Eamon O Keefe found a gap and touched down for the opening score of the game but the conversion was missed. Clonmel came back hard with their backline beginning to find holes and City’s back 3 managed to halt the attack. City kept up the pressure but can feel they squandered two try scoring opportunities, just before half time Clonmel conceded a penalty just in front of the posts and Darren Walsh converted to leave City leading 8-0.

The 2nd half began with Clonmel looking a lot more settled and some lazy play from City at the ruck allowed their outhalf slot over a penalty from just inside the City half. 5 mins later Clonmel added another 3 points to bring the score to 8-6 and they were starting to gain more control of this game . More and more Clonmel’s backs looked to spread the ball but some excellent defense from Nicky Jacob , with one massive hit in particular kept Clonmel out.

The City scrum continued to dominate Clonmel and this relieved pressure and allowed City to move the play into the Clonmel half. On 70mins a powerful rolling maul from City brought play deep into Clonmel territory and just 5 yards from their line they managed to turn over a loose pass which was swiftly moved wide, City were caught with the counter attack and a long range kick allowed the speedy Clonmel winger to pick the ball and touch down, the try was converted and Clonmel led for the first time 13-8. It was a very cruel score to concede but City rallied and a barging run from replacement back row Tom Bowe brought City into the Clonmel 22, a late challenge on Mick Costello resulted in the Clonmel prop seeing a yellow card and now City found themselves 10 yards from the Clonmel line for the remaining minutes of the game. On the last play a scrum was awarded to Waterford 5 yards from the tryline but the Clonmel prop went down injured which led to an uncontested scrum. City picked and went but Clonmel were resolute in defence and managed to turn over the ball, kick it out and claim the win. Heartbreaker for City who preformed well against a good Clonmel side, we would like to thank Clonmel for a great game and wish them all the best this season. Next Sunday we will be back in action with a friendly away game against Dungarvan , KO 2:30 p.m.

Women’s Training
Our Women team training continues every Monday & Wednesday at 7:00 – 8:30, beginners more than welcome.

Youths and Mini’s
All of our underage have returned to training. If you have a child interested in rugby please contact Jimmy Foskin on 0863327327
Mini’s(ages 5-12) Sunday mornings at 11:00-12:00
U-13 & U-14 Wednesdays and Fridays 6:00 – 7:15
U-15 ,U-16 & U-18 Wednesdays at 7:00 – 8:15 Fridays 6:00 – 7:15