Cashel make solid start to All-Ireland League campaign at Thomond Park

Shannon 19 Cashel 26

This was the first-ever AIL meeting between the clubs.

Cashel were the more nervous team in the opening exchanges, their kick-off going out on the full and early tackles being missed. Shannon took full advantage, Cillian O’Connor slotting a penalty inside five minutes and adding another on 18 minutes to make it 6–0.

Cashel gradually began to settle and when the chance came, they struck in style. On 33 minutes, full back Tim Townsend spotted space just outside his own 22 and hit the line at pace, scything through the Shannon midfield before racing past halfway.

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He offloaded to Ciarán Ryan, who moved the ball wide to winger Rob Carney. What followed was electric, as Carney pinned his ears back and tore down the wing like an express train, brushing off attempted tackles and leaving the defence for dead. He finished superbly in the corner to get Cashel on the scoreboard.

It was the kind of try that underlined Carney’s natural pace, strength and confidence. He’s a serious young talent who looks set to be a standout performer this season.

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Shannon responded almost immediately with another O’Connor penalty. Moments later a missed tackle in midfield opened the door for Shannon winger Josh Costello, who darted over for a converted try to stretch the lead to 16–5.

Despite trailing, Cashel looked increasingly dangerous with ball in hand. Deep into first half stoppage time they were awarded a penalty under the posts, with Shannon also reduced to 14 men after a yellow card. Twice Cashel turned down the straightforward three points, instead backing their pack at scrum time. The first effort broke down, but when they earned a second penalty and went again, the gamble paid off. The ball was moved quickly through the backs into the hands of Townsend, who showed all his strength and determination to crash over.

That late try narrowed the gap to 16–12 at the break and swung the momentum firmly back Cashel’s way.

Cashel carried that momentum into the second half and looked by far the stronger team. Within five minutes of the restart, Rob Carney struck again. Collecting ball in space, he needed no second invitation to light up the wing, blasting through at pace to cross for his second try and put Cashel ahead 19–16.

Shannon, roared on by a vocal home crowd, upped their intensity and came close to reclaiming the lead, only to be denied by a desperate last-ditch tackle that forced a knock-on right at the line. Cashel were forced into extended periods of defence and stood tall, protecting their lead with huge physical effort.

The decisive score came on 83 minutes. John O’Sullivan cut up the centre of the pitch with a storming run, linking with fellow Bansha man Alan Flannery, who carried play into the Shannon 22 before releasing Townsend. The full back powered over for his second try, sealing both the victory and the bonus point.

Shannon earned a penalty deep in stoppage time to secure a deserved losing bonus point, but the right result was Cashel’s, a 26–19 win on the road at one of Irish rugby’s most historic venues.

It was a performance full of character and intent. The forwards were outstanding, generating front-foot ball and setting the platform for the backs to show their pace and skill. There are plenty of positive signs as the season gets underway, and attention now turns to next Saturday’s home fixture against Old Crescent at 2.30pm.

Cashel: Mike Treacy, David Upton, Adam Shirley, Fearghail O’Donoghue, Diarmuid Rowe, Mikey Wilson, Richard Moran (captain), Ciarán Ryan, Fionn Carney, John O’Sullivan, Marcel Strydom, Jamie Ryan, Alan Flannery, Rob Carney, Timothy Townsend.

Replacements: Joe Callery, Marcello Frati, Barry Bracken, Ryan O’Sullivan, Cormac O’Donnell.