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Minogue shines as Shannon RFC power to All-Ireland League play-off berth
Shannon defeated Dungannon at Thomond Park's back pitch on Saturday afternoon, on a scoreline of 34-22
Action from Shannon's clash with Dungannon at Thomond Park's back pitch on Saturday I PICTURE: Brendan Gleeson
Reporter:
Oisín Nolan at Thomond Park
18 Apr 2026 5:24 PM
Email:
oisin.nolan@limerickleader.ie
SHANNON RFC will play UCC in the Energia All Ireland League Division 1B/2A play-off final after a thrilling 34-22 win over Dungannon on Saturday afternoon.
After an end-to-end opening ten minutes at the sun soaked Thomond Park back pitch, it was the home side who drew first blood.
Neat build up play allowed Oisín Minogue to burst through the Dungannon defence and touch down for his side's first try of the day.
Jamie Gavin extended the hosts lead to seven points via the resulting conversion to give the Limerick side the perfect start.
Dungannon responded well and threw the kitchen sink at their Limerick hosts but Shannon were resolute in their defensive efforts and gave the Tyrone men little to feed off.
Gavin was again imperious from the tee after 27 minutes, stretching his side's lead to ten points via a penalty.
The visitors were able to reply swiftly to this setback with Ben McCaughey slotting over a penalty a minute later dead straight in front of the posts.
Shannon, however, would notch their second try of the day five minutes before the interval. After more patient build up play from the home side, it was Oisín Minogue was again there to touch down to give his side a 17-3 lead.
Minutes later, with the clock in the red, Gavin was on hand to add another three pointer to his side's tally to give the Limerick men a commanding 20-3 half time lead.
Shannon started the second half with intent, immediately applying some real pressure on Dungannon, pressure that paid off four minutes into the half when Minogue touched down for his third try of the afternoon under the posts.
With Gavin adding the resulting conversion, Shannon's lead now stretched to 24 points.
To the visitors credit, they replied expertly with a try of their own when James Gamble touched down under the posts in the 50th minute, which McCaughey converted to leave the score at 27-10.
The visitors added a another converted try minutes later after applying consistent pressure on the hosts. Shannon's northern counterparts were now back in the game with the scoreboard now reading 27-17.
Dungannon tails were up and with the hosts looking to repel any fight back from the visitors and incredibly, it was Oisín Minogue who touched down again for his side in the 62nd minute and as Gavin had done all game, the fly-half was flawless from the tee, with the score now reading 34-17 in favour of the Limerick side.
The contest began to fizzle out following Minogue's fourth try but Dungannon did manage a late consolation try through Sam Montgomery with the clock in the red.
McCaughey was unable to convert and referee Jack McNiece sounded for full time with Shannon running out 34-22 winners on the day.
SHANNON: Emmet Calvey, Alex Long, Jamie Conway, Samson Alaimoana, Cian McCann, Alex Lautsou, Oisín Minogue, Neal Moylett, Neil Cronin, Jamie Gavin, Josh Costello, Harry Long (C), Cian O'Halloran, Luke Doyle, Matt Tepou.
REPLACEMENTS: Adam Moloney, Ronan Ryan, Tony Cusack, Luke Moylan, Scott Gleeson, Callum Black, Rory McDermott, David Smith
DUNGANNON: James Gamble, James McCammon, Sean O'Hagan, Cameron Steenson, Callum Johns, David Leyburn, James McMahon, Adam Milligan, Alex Johnston, Peter Nelson, Tony Gribben, Ben McCaughey, James Girvan, Mervyn Brown, Andrew McGregor
REPLACEMENTS: Sam Montgomery, Matthew Stockdale, Peter Nichol, harlie Conroy, Jacob Clarke, Stephen Todd, Matthew Maguire, Ryan Abernethy.
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