AIL – Old Wesley 34 Shannon 5
Old Wesley met Shannon at Donnybrook in the penultimate round of this season’s AIL campaign. Both teams were eager to score league points but for different reasons; Old Wesley in their quest for promotion, and Shannon in their fight to avoid relegation.
From the outset, and for much of the game Old Wesley looked the better side dominating territory and playing with confidence. They were on the scoreboard within 5 minutes with an Ian Cassidy long range penalty goal, accurately negotiating the swirling wind. Wesley called the shots for the next 20 minutes but fell short of scoring. Then from a line out maul Kieran O’Shea peeled off to cross for the first try of the match. Cassidy converted for a 10-nil lead. Wesley continued to ask question of the opposition defence swinging the ball from side to side with confidence. Just before half time Cassidy extended the lead to 13 nil with a 35-metre penalty kick.
Shannon eventually hit their purple patch early in the second half, but it was not to last for long. After conceding 3 quick fire penalties the visitors piled on the pressure. The home defence was eventually breached and Shannon crossed for a try by Kelvin Brown. But Wesley responded immediately. From the restart they soon regained possession before Will Fay received the ball and sprinted 25 metres beating a number of tackles to score under the posts. Wesley were nearly in again following a strong run by Ireland Under 20s player, Mahon Ronan, before a knock.
With the match now approaching the final quarter Kieran O’Shea made ground from a line out. The ball was swung out the back line to Alex Molloy who jinked past a couple of tackles to score under the posts. Now with a 22 point lead it was hard to see how the visitors could recover. They did gain ground after Wesley conceded a penalty and looked like they might score. But the home side defence held firm eventually winning a turnover.
The icing on the cake came for old Wesley on 70 minutes. A handling error by Shannon in midfield was capitalised on by Paudi Farrell who collected the ball and sprinted from half way, beating the defence to score the bonus point try. Cassidy again converted, maintaining his 100% place kicking record on the day. Soon after the ref blew for full time.
The result keeps Old Wesley well in contention for a play-off spot, just one point behind Blackrock, who, as it happens, are next week’s opposition.
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Scorers: Tries: Kieran O’Shea, Will Fay, Alex Molloy, Paidi Farrell; Cons: Ian Cassidy 4; Pens: Ian Cassidy 2
HT: Old Wesley 13 Shannon 0
Team: Tom Larke; Paidi Farrell, Alex Molloy, Eoin Deegan, Eoin Murphy; Ian Cassidy, Andrew Doyle; Adam Watchorn, Kieran O’Shea, Evin Coyle, Mahon Ronan, David Motyer, Billy Corrigan, Reuben Pim (capt), Will Fay. Replacements: Finn Tierney, Rory Duggan, Shane Cawley, Gavin Meagher, Adam O’Connor, Willem Johnstone.
