RUGBY AIB SENIOR CUP:SHANNON'S VISIT to Stradbrook was ostensibly a repeat of last season's AIB Senior Cup final and once again Blackrock College came off second best, going down to a 40-20 defeat.
The home side's pick-and-drive game was too ponderous, the clearing out not good enough to provide the quick ball they craved. Shannon simply waited for mistakes, usually handling errors and pounced. They led 18-6 at the interval having played into the wind.
Their excellent young outhalf Tadgh Bennett - he controlled the game beautifully - kicked two penalties and converted his side's opening try, an inception and 40-metre gallop by left-wing Marcus O'Driscoll.
Shannon's second try came from Fionn McLoughlin, albeit that turnover of possession came from a scrum that should not have been given for a forward pass that wasn't.
David Madigan responded with two penalties for Blackrock but the home side's fate was effectively sealed within nine minutes of the restart as their Limerick visitors grabbed two more tries, from centre Andrew Finn and Bennett. The outhalf converted both, tagged on a penalty and, at 35-6, Shannon were mentally on the bus home.
To their credit Blackrock rallied with two tries in a four-minute spell midway through the half, from centre Kyle Tonetti.
Darragh Fitzpatrick posted both conversions and at 35-20 behind with 19 minutes left, Blackrock had an outside chance.
The Limerick side finished the match in style, however, O'Driscoll's cleverly arcing run culminating in his fellow wing Rickie Mullane scoring in the corner.
Shannon's reward is a home tie against Ballynahinch in the next round.
Cork Constitution squeezed past St Mary's College 15-13 at Templeville, thereby reversing the result from last week's league match. Con now face another tough away trip in the next round, this time to Bruff, who managed a fine 15-11 win over Old Crescent at Rosbrien. Old Belvedere and Ballymena were tied 22-22 at full-time before an Eamonn Fitzgerald penalty in extra-time saw the Dublin club advance to play UCC, 37-0 winners over Portadown.
Bective Rangers toppled Division One side Terenure College 13-6 at Donnybrook, earning another home day out in the cup this time against Garryowen. The Limerick club easily accounted for Thomond 37-13. There were also wins for Young Munster, UCD, UL Bohemian and Buccaneers, the latter producing the upset of the day when edging out Division One leaders Clontarf, 20-18.
Galwegians clash with Highfield and the game between Nenagh Ormond and Barnhall, originally scheduled for last Saturday, will be played later this month.
AIB SENIOR CUP THIRD-ROUND DRAW (matches to be played January 10th, 2009): Dolphin v Ards, Musgrave Park; Galwegians/Highfield v Nenagh Ormond/Barnhall; Young Munster v UCD, Clifford Park; Shannon v Ballynahinch, Thomond Park/Coonagh; Buccaneers v UL Bohemian; UCC v Old Belvedere, Mardyke; Bruff v Cork Constitution, Kilballyowen Park; Bective Rangers v Garryowen, Donnybrook.
