Shannon 35, Sunday’s Well 19

Sunday’s Well were drawn a tough fixture to open their Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup campaign as they had to travel to a strong Shannon outfit. The ‘Well side; with numerous key players put in a strong effort – particularly in the second-half where they threatened a big come-back.

Shannon got off to a flying start, with plenty of top division experience in the AIL. They ran in three tries before Damian Kozik responded for the ‘Well, but another try for the Limerick side; all converted left the half-time score at 28-5 in favour of the hosts.

However; the ‘Well showed great temperament and spirit and played a great amount of rugby in the second-half. The pack battled hard with Kozik and Mike McCarthy putting in big efforts. Logan Henry and Alex Lane helped mount several attacks and a pair of tries midway through the half by Gary Downey and Bobby Smith, both converted by Logan Henry made it a 28-19 game.

The ‘Well continued to press hard but robust Shannon defence kept them at bay and the hosts finished off the game with a fifth try to put some gloss on the scoreboard.

The final home League game of the season will see the ‘Well look to push for a top four finish as they host rivals Thurles. Kick-off is at 4pm on Saturday.

Scorers: Shannon: David Smith, Scott Gleeson, Mark Maloney, Alan Flannery, Matt Burke tries; Cillian O’Connor 5 cons.

Sunday’s Well: Damian Kozik, Gary Downey, Bobby Smith tries; Logan Henry 2 cons.

Shannon: Richard Mullane; David Smith, Paul Curtis, Alan Flannery, Paddy Hassett; Cillian O’Connor, Mark Maloney; Nathan Walsh, Shane Carew, Matt Burke; Ciaran Vaughan, Jade Kriel; Will Bright, Scott Glesson, Darren Ferrar.

Sunday’s Well: Bobby Smith; Cathal Quinn, Jamie O’Leayr, Alex Lane, Gary Downey; Logan Henry, Daniel Courtney; Mike McCarthy, Kieran Stokes, Evan O’Connell; Kevin Holland, Shane O’Neill; James Mulcahy, Damian Kozik, Finn MacFhlannchadha. Replacements:  Ian Murphy, Adam Browne, Mark Kelly, Rob Egar, Harry McHenry.

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Newcastle West 22 Sunday’s Well 13

After a strong powerful performance in a tight hard-fought battle; it was disappointment for Sunday’s Well as they up on the wrong end of the scoreline. The ‘Well did score two magnificent tries and could have had more scores earlier; but the clinical doggedness of an experienced Newcastle West side saw them win out.

The ‘Well were on top for the opening thirty minutes but weren’t able to translate that on the scoreboard. Logan Henry was making great runs and off-loads to open up chances; with James Mulcahy and Jamie O’Leary making some powerful bursts. Logan kicked an early penalty to put the ‘Well into the lead and narrowly missed two other difficult long-range efforts, with one hitting off the outside of the post.

With both defences hitting hard; the ‘Well created the best try-scoring opportunities with two great breaks. Off a turnover; the ball was moved out to Alex Lane who almost got into the left-corner. On the opposite side, Gary Downey almost snuck in after a great passing move but great cover defence just shoved him into touch on the opposite side.

Shane Airey was having a great game for the hosts and kicked two penalties to give his side a 6-3 lead and put another one over early in the second-half to extend that lead.

The ‘Well continued to battle. Finn MacFhlannchadha took over the throw-in duties at line-out, regularly finding James Mulcahy and Shane O’Neill, while Damian Kozik covered the hooker position on the field; being in the centre of a very ebbing scrum battle.

The ‘Well fought back and having earned a penalty in mid-field; they used the advantage to get the ball back out wide. Logan put through a perfectly weighted kick to the corner and Alex Lane was going side by side with the covering defender and just managed to get the control when putting the ball down to make it a one point game.

Airey added his fourth penalty and with the game in the balance; they were kicking deep. The Limerick side did manage to benefit from an opportunity when Sean Murphy stole a ball and raced in under the post despite the best effort of Cathal Quinn, with Airey naturally converting.

The ‘Well then produced the moment of the game. Ryan O’Donoghue-Kelleher created a turnover in the defensive Twenty-Two. A superb series of carries and off-loads by both back and forwards saw the ball quickly move up the field and Logan Henry showed great agility to round a tackler before evading a desperate last-ditch ankle tap to touch-down in the corner, turning it into a 19-13 game.

The ‘Well pushed hard but another penalty allowed Airey put the game beyond reach late on.

Next up; is another trip to Limerick; this time to the city where Shannon host us in the Junior Challenge Cup at Coonagh.

Scorers: Newcastle West: Sean Murphy try; Shane Airey 5 pens, con.

Sunday’s Well: Logan Henry try, pen; Alex Lane try.

Newcastle West: Liam Treacy, Daniel Normoyle, Sean Murphy, Cian Mulcahy, Andrew Mortell; Shane Airey, Aaron Rice; TJ Relihan, Sean Corbett, John Walsh; Daniel Power, Padraig Roche; Jack Corkery, Jason Woulfe, Keelan Head. Replacements: Shane Breen, Tyrese Holdbrook, Alan O’Riordan, James Corbett, James Kelly, Julian Bell, James Guina.

Sunday’s Well: Logan Henry; Gary Downey, Jamie O’Leary, Ryan O’Donoghue-Kelleher, Alex Lane; Logan Henry, Daniel Courtney; Mike McCarthy, Damian Kozik, Evan O’Connell; Kevin Holland, John Costello; James Mulcahy, Finn MacFhlannchadha, Shane O’Neill. Replacements: Ian Murphy, Kieran Stokers, Aaron Beale, Mark Kelly, Robert Egar, Alex Guerin, Cathal Quinn.