Shannon slip Through
29/10/2005
 

Trinity 6pts Shannon 19pts – October 29^th 2005

 

 

 

All Ireland champions Shannon outlasted the students in torrential rain on Saturday at College park. Trinity played the first half with the wind and rain on their backs and dominated the half both field position and possession wise. Unfortunately they could not turn their dominance into points, as they missed three from four kicks at goal. Shannon was surprised by the power of the young Trinity eight forwards. The Limerick side never really threatened at all in the first half and only managed a penalty on a rare excursion into the Trinity 22 metre area. Due to the conditions it was hard to play any sort of running passing rugby, body angles and commitment were the game for the day and both sides battled hard at the point of contact. Trinity were unhappy to go into half time at 3-3.

 

 

 

In the second half Shannon came more into the game. They kicked well for position and kept the students pinned down. Trinity’s defence stood up well as they knocked their illustrious opponents back in the tackle time after time. All the Trinity team tackled as if their lives depended on it. They also managed to keep the ball in the Shannon half for several periods of time, as they recycled very effectively in the mud.

 

 

 

The teams traded penalties, as Shannon crept to a 9-6 lead. Trinity looked good for a win or draw as they seemed to frustrate the visitors into several errors. Shannon had clearly run out of ideas and were hanging on for a close win. Unfortunately Trinity lost the game when they turned the ball over near their line. Shannon took their opportunity well and scored a most unlikely try. They then followed this up with a beautifully struck long range drop goal in the last play of the game.

 

 

 

The students were gutted not to get at least a bonus point, for such a brave effort against the reigning champions. This was indeed a savage blow.

 

 

 

Trinity can take the positives out of the game, forwards coach Hugh McGuire has clearly put together another mighty pack of forwards in just a few weeks. Experienced stalwarts Hugh Hogan, Marc Warburton and Matt Crockett carried the game to the Shannon pack in fine style. This young team can only get better, the problem is they are developing in the top league in the country. Garryowen are next up in Limerick.

 

 

 

Team; 15 Simon Mitchell, 14 Ronan Doherty, 13 Brian Hastings, 12 Conor Donohue, 11 Francis Keane, 10 Donal Crotty, 9 Matt D’Arcy (Joey Burns 60), 1 Nial Conlon, 2 Matt Crockett, 3 Paul Doran Jones, 4 Darren O’Reilly Killian O’Neill 71), 5 Marc Warburton, 6 Richie Morrow (Tim Jago 65), 7 Richie White, 8 Hugh Hogan.

 

 

 

On Sunday Trinity U20s travelled to Temple ville road to play St Mary’s College. In difficult windy conditions St Mary’s ran up a ten point lead. The new look Trinity U20s were facing adversity for the first time this season. They responded well with 10 pts just before half time. In the second half they had too dig deep and play into the wind and a gradually worsening rain storm. They played some good rugby under the circumstances to score two tries to one in the second half and win out 22-17.

 

 

 

The Trinity U20s B lost to Old Wesley 13-10 in a game they should have put away several times over.

 

 

 

No other games were played over the bank holiday weekend. 

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