McNamara Comes Out Of Retirement For Shannon
Mid-table Old Belvedere made Shannon work hard for this four-point win but second half tries from forward duo Eoghan Grace and Padraic O’Brien steered the Limerick side home.
AIB LEAGUE: DIVISION ONE: Saturday, March 28
SHANNON 23 OLD BELVEDERE 19, Coonagh
Scorers: Shannon: Tries: Eoghan Grace, Padraic O’Brien; Cons: Tadhg Bennett 2; Pens: Tadhg Bennett, David O’Donovan 2
Old Belvedere: Tries: Dave Mongan, Leo Auva’a, Philip Treacy; Cons: Colm O’Neill 2
Minus the services of team captain Fiach O’Loughlin, who injured his jaw recently against Cork Constitution, veteran scrum half Frankie McNamara came out of retirement and turned in a man-of-the-match performance in Shannon’s latest league win.
‘Belvo stunned the Coonagh crowd as they cantered into a 12-0 lead thanks to tries from right winger Dave Mongan and powerfully built number 8 Leo Auva’a. Colm O’Neill converted one.
However, two penalties from David O’Donovan, either side of half-time, brought Shannon back into contention and they then took control.
Ireland Sevens international Eoghan Grace sliced through for a try which Tadhg Bennett converted.
Bennett added a penalty and then tireless second row Padraic O’Brien burst through for another score which Bennett made a seven-pointer.
Shannon were far form impressive but did enough to warrant the win and a late Philip Treacy try, converted by O’Neill, gave Old Belvedere a losing bonus point as consolation.