Tough weekend for Limerick sides in the All Ireland League

Shannon, Young Munster and Garryowen all suffered defeats at the weekend in Division 1A of the All Ireland League. Tom Hayes’ Shannon went down to a 22-17 defeat to Clontarf on the back pitch at Thomond Park.

David Joyce opened up an early lead for ‘Tarf but former Rockwell College star out half Jake Flannery soon squared things up with an effort from the kicking tee.

Flannery added a second penalty in the 12th minute to put Shannon in front. Clontarf soon took control with Tony Ryan and Sean O’Brien tries. Flannery sent over another penalty that cut Clontarf’s lead to 15-9 at the break.

Flannery continued his outstanding performance with a breakaway try that put just one point between the teams. Both sides missed chances to add to their respective scores, before Flannery put Shannon into a 17-15 advantage with his fourth penalty of the afternoon. However, Clontarf finished with a flourish and Mick McGrath’s converted try three minutes from time saw them to victory.

Young Munster also suffered a defeat when they were beaten 37-26 by Dublin University at College Park. Three Clayton Stewart penalties had the Cookies 9-3 in front but a Michael Silvester converted try put Dublin University ahead. The same man struck again late in the half to put his side eight points to the good.

Darragh O’Neill replied for Munster’s soon after the restart but Liam Turner soon had the Dublin side back in control once more when he collected Silvester’s grubber kick to score a third try.

Silvester then crossed for his hat trick score to put Dublin University 34-14 ahead. Munster’s rallied late on through O’Neill and Mark O’Mara but they were scant consolation for Gearoid Prendergast’s side.

Garryowen were the third Limerick team to lose in Division 1A. Again it was a Dublin college that accounted for a Limerick side with UCD running out 31-19 victors in Dooradoyle.

UCD led 19-7 at the break but a convincing second half performance saw them go back to Belfield with a convincing win. Garryowen’s tries came from Liam Cronin, Diarmuid Barron and Liam Coombes. Peadar Collins kicked two conversions.

There was better news for UL Bohemians, who came away from Blackrock with a 33-7 win. In the same division, Old Crescent lost 20-17 at home to Navan.

In Division 2C, Bruff beat Ballina 26-18 but Thomond lost 24-22 to Malahide. In the All-Ireland Junior Cup first round, Richmond lost out 32-18 to Enniscorthy.