Burning desire propels Shannon to AIL title

VICTORIOUS coach Geoff Moylan pin-pointed player self-belief and a burning desire to continue the tradition of previously successful sides as the key ingredients in Shannon's dramatic ninth AIB All-Ireland League success at Thomond Park Stadium on Saturday evening.


Shannon and Clontarf finished dead-locked, 19-19, at the end of 100 minutes of pulsating rugby action before an enthralled attendance of 4,879 spectators.
The teams had shared four tries in one of the best ever AIL deciders, but the Limerick side were declared winners after scoring the game's opening try through full-back David O'Donovan.
Three-time AIL winning coach Moylan said: "There is an unbelievable belief in that dressing room.
"The average age of the side is just over 23.
"I said a week ago that 12 or 13 of those guys have no medals. People were saying Clontarf have no AIL medals, but half of our dressing room didn't have them either.
"They wanted one. They were really hungry for it.
"Belief is the key. The players are handed down a jersey, a tradition from teams before."
Shannon have lost just once in 30 cup final appearances since 1989.
During that period the Parish side has won six AIL finals, one AIB Cup final, 11 Munster Senior Cup finals, four Munster Senior League finals, six Limerick Charity Cup finals and one All-Ireland 7s final.
The club's sole defeat in a cup final over the past 20 years came against UL Bohemian in 2007.
Andrew Thompson, who missed Saturday's final due to injury, won his ninth AIL medal this season.
Meanwhile in the Magners League, an understrength Munster side suffered a 12-20 defeat to the Cardiff Blues in the battle of the beaten Heineken Cup semi-finalists.
Munster were denied a losing bonus point by a last gasp try at the Arms Park from Blues' replacement Ceri Sweeney.
Magners League winners Munster will be presented with the trophy following this Friday night's final round tie against the Ospreys at Thomond Park (kick-off 7.45pm).
Speaking in the wake of their defeat to Cardiff Munster coach Tony McGahan said he was encouraged by aspects of their performance coming eight days after their shattering Heineken Cup smei-final defeat at the hands of Leinster in Croke Park.
"It's always difficult to play after such an emotional week as we have had.
"So I thought this was actually a pretty brave performance considering how little possession we had against a good team.
"We were under a lot of pressure in the first half, especially in the scrum which is something we will have to have a long look at.
"But we were far more tenacious in the second half, we had a lot more field position and had opportunities to score."

Colm Kinsella