Young Munster squeeze past Shannon in all Limerick clash

There was another busy weekend of AIL action across the country. There was just one Limerick side who picked up a win, and it came in the all Limerick clash. Young Munster did just enough to see of cross-city rivals, Shannon, in a triller in Tom Clifford Park.

The Cookies were made sweat late in this clash, despite easing into a 31-15 lead early in the second half. They notched five-tries in front of a vocal home support. Shannon crossed for four tries, and take two bonus points as they look to climb the table.

Jade Kriel went over for Shannon inside 30 seconds, with Michael Cooke making it 7-0. The reply from the hosts was strong, with Conor Phillips finishing off a great move in the corner. Patrick Campbell quickly raced in for his first, which was converted by Evan Cusack, for 12-7. Shannon didn’t have much territory, but Alan Flannery sniped over to tie this game.

But Munsters were superb in closing the half, two more tries, one from Conor Hayes and the other from John Foley, gave them a commanding half-time lead – 26-15.

Campbell used his noticeable pace to go over on 42 for 31-15, and Shannon looked beaten. However, tries from Cian O’Halloran and Killivan Dineen helped them back into the game, also giving them two valuable bonus points. Young Munster had lost two men to the bin in the closing stages but were able to limp over the line to make it back-to-back bonus point victories over their Limerick rivals.

They keep in touch with fourth spot, within striking distance of Dublin University and Ballynahinch. Shannon climb above UCD into 8^th.

Elsewhere, also in 1A, Garryowen’s luckless run continues, as they fell 24-7 on the road to Ballynahinch. Nick Greene had put them ahead with an early try.

In 2A, UL Bohemians remain bottom, with just one win to date this season. They lost 19-17 at home to Navan. They had to make do with a losing bonus point, after trailing for much of this contest. Paul Clancy had scored Bohs’ try in the opening half.

Old Crescent’s clash with Ballymena was off due to snowfall in Northern Ireland.

In 2C, Bruff lost, 23-10 on the road, to Clonmel. Bruff are in 5^th, now six-points behind the Tipperary side.