Mixed day for Limerick clubs in the Munster Senior Challenge Cup

THERE was just one local win among the four Limerick clubs competing in the group stages of the Munster Senior Challenge Cup on Saturday.

In Group 1, Shannon suffered a heavy 19-48 defeat to All-Ireland League Division 1A champions Cork Constitution at Coonagh on Saturday afternoon.

The Parish side managed three tries from Stephen Kiely, Oisin Minogue and Luke Moylan, while Sean Nolan added two conversions.

Shannon will travel to Highfield in Group 1 on Saturday next, September 7 for their second group fixture before completing their programme of round robin games away to Nenagh Ormond on the weekend of Saturday, November 23.

The group winners from each of the four groups will advance to the Munster Senior Challenge Cup semi-finals.

UL-Bohemian, who last won the trophy in 1962 as Bohemian, entertained Cashel at Annacotty in a Group 3 clash on Saturday.

The game ended in a 35-24 victory for the Co Tipperary side. Cashel led the game 7-3 after half an hour. The Limerick side, who trailed 10-35 into the second half, finished strongly with two converted tries. Stephen Hayes, Liam Shanahan, and Alan Kiely scored the tries for the Red, Red Robins, while Sean O’Grady converted all three tries as well as kicking a penalty.

In the other tie in this group, Clonmel welcomed Bruff to South Tipperary and the home side emerged victorious on a 44-22 scoreline. Shane Duggan, John Bateman, and Ethan Anderson scored tries for Bruff and Paul Collins added the remaining points.

UL-Bohs travel to Kilballyowen Park for a Limerick derby meeting with Bruff on Saturday next.

The final series of Group 3 games will see the Red, Red Robins host Clonmel in November, while Bruff travel to Cashel.

Meanwhile, in three-team Group 4 of the Cup, Old Crescent locked horns with Dolphin at Takumi Park and emerged victorious on a 31-26 scoreline. The sides shared no fewer than eight tries over the 80 minutes. 

Old Crescent trailed Dolphin 10-19 at half-time. The Limerick side's points in the opening half came courtesy of a try from Werner Hoffmann, while Ronan McKenna kicked a conversion and penalty.

Into the second half and Crescent hit the front at 24-17 with tries from Daithi Byrnes and John Hurley, both converted by McKenna.

Crescent then sealed their 31-26 success when a terrific line from Cathal Monaghan set up Brian Molloy for a try which was converted by McKenna

Old Crescent travel to Midleton on Saturday next in their final group game.

In Friday night's action in the group stages of the Munster Senior Challenge Cup, Young Munster defeated holders Garryowen 33-31 in Group 2 at Dooradoyle.