Seconds notch up bonus point win over Shannon

We fielded our strongest side this season on Sunday for the eagerly awaited Senior Seconds game v Shannon knowing that a win would put us into second place in the league.
Shannon started the better and went in front after 12 minutes with a penalty to lead 3-0. Our forwards were starting to get on top with the excellent Shane O’Neill and Hugh McGrath leading by example, and it came as no surprise when we scored our first try through Craig O’Hanlon with a fine try after great work by the forwards. Brian Haugh added the extras to give us the lead by 7 points to 3. Some good defence by Shannon stopped us from scoring again just before the half time whistle, to leave the score at 7-3 going into the break.
We started the second half as we finished the first and in the 50th minute we scored our second try of the day through Evan Culhane with great work by both the forwards and backs bringing the score to 12-3.
At this stage we were well on top in the set play and Declan Bannon scored our third try after a great break from just inside the Shannon half to score in the corner taking us to 17. We scored our fourth try through the excellent Shane O’ Leary, securing the bonus point, again after great work between forwards and backs.
Shannon came storming back after this score and scored a fine try of their own which they converted to bring the score to 22-10.
Only good defence by us stopped Shannon from scoring again, and with the last play we worked our way back into the Shannon 22 where we forced a turnover in the line-out to maul over the Shannon tryline with Cathal O’Connor being credited with the touch down to leave the final score at 27-10.
We would like to wish our captain Ger (‘Plumber’) Ryan a speedy recovery from his injury and hope to see him back again in the black and amber before the end of the season.
 
Final Score: Young Munster 27 – 10 Shannon