WATCH: Young Munster score bonus point win over Shannon in AIL Limerick derby

A DOMINANT Young Munster side claimed a maximum five point haul from their convincing 32-3 All-Ireland League Division 1A Limerick derby win over Shannon at Thomond Park on Saturday night.

The bonus point success has seen fifth-placed Young Munster close to within five points of both fourth-placed Cork Constitution and Dublin University in third in the battle to secure a play-off place.

Next weekend marks the half way stage of the Energia All-Ireland League regular season with Munsters' hosting table toppers Tenerure College at Clifford Park on Saturday next, 4.45pm.

Shannon sit in ninth-placed in the table, 10 points clear of basement side Garryowen, but two point behind eighth-placed Lansdowne.

Young Munster laid the foundation for this impressive victory over Shannon in the opening half after which they led a well-attended Limerick derby 17-3.

WATCH: The bragging rights & five precious @EnergiaEnergy All-Ireland League Division 1A League points belong to @YoungMunsterRFC following convincing 32-3 bonus point win over @Shannon_RFC at Thomond Park #LLSport #EnergiaAIL pic.twitter.com/bxb8TrjuZA

— Colm Kinsella (@ckSportLeader) December 3, 2022

On a perfect night for a rugby game, the Limerick rivals traded penalty goals inside the opening 10 minutes, Evan Cusack's early successful kick cancelled out by one from Shannon out-half Mike Cooke.

Young Munster hit the front on 12 minutes with the first of their four tries as a well executed maul led to their hugely impressive hooker Dan Walsh dotting down.

WATCH: Bonus point try in the bag
for @YoungMunsterRFC who lead @Shannon_RFC 32-3 late on in Division 1A of the All-Ireland League at Thomond Park. Conor Hayes in right place & the right time #LLSport #EnergiaAIL pic.twitter.com/DrD357q13j

— Colm Kinsella (@ckSportLeader) December 3, 2022

Cusack added the extras to stretch the visitors advantage to seven points at 10-3.

Munsters' scored their second try of the evening on the half hour mark when Cusack's beautifully-weighed crossfield kick was collected by winger Conor Phillips who showed a clean pair of heels to the Shannon defence before touching down. Cusack was on target with the conversion to leave 14 points between the sides at the break.

The third quarter was largely stop-start in nature, with both sides committing a number of unforced errors. With 13 minutes remaining Munsters', who had beaten Dublin University by a single point in their previous league outing, made the game safe when winger Conor Hayes converted a penalty goal.

With the game in safe-keeping, Munsters' went chasing after the bonus point. Another well-executed maul led to Walsh scoring his second try of the game with Hayes superbly also adding the extras from close to the touchline.

In the closing minutes of the derby, Munsters' struck for the bonus point try. Their influential scrum-half Donnchadh O'Callaghan made a terrific sniping break from the Shannon '22 to within a short distance of the tryline before he was tackled.

WATCH: Conor Hayes kicks @YoungMunsterRFC into 20-3 lead v @Shannon_RFC in All-Ireland League Division 1A Limerick derby at Thomond Park. 12 minutes remaining #LLSport #EnergiaAIL pic.twitter.com/GyhaPG11tW

— Colm Kinsella (@ckSportLeader) December 3, 2022

The composed O'Callaghan then cleverly popped the ball off to the grateful Conor Hayes who had the easiest of tasks in touching down, much to the delight of the large travelling support.

Shannon travel to the back pitch at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday next to face Lansdowne in their final AIL fixture before the Christmas and New Year's break.

Following their meeting with Terenure College on Saturday, Munsters' will face Cork Constitution in the semi-final of the Munster Senior Cup a week later. 

Scorers: Shannon: Pen: Michael Cooke. Young Munster: Tries: Conor Philips, Dan Walsh 2, Conor Hayes; Cons: Evan Cusack 2, Conor Hayes; Pens: Evan Cusack, Conor Hayes.
 
SHANNON: 15. Jamie McGarry, 14. Aran Hehir, 13. Killian Dineen, 12. Jack O’Donnell, 11. Daniel Hurley, 10. Michael Cooke, 9. Ethan Coughlan; 1. Kieran Ryan, 2. Jordan Prendeville, 3. Darragh McSweeney, 4. Ronan Coffey, 5. David Maher, 6. Sean McCarthy, 7. Kelvin Brown, 8. Lee Nicholas. Replacements: 16. Alex Long, 17. Luke Rigney, 18. Cathal Hynes, 19. Odhran Ring, 20. John O’Sullivan, 21. Alan Flannery.
 
YOUNG MUNSTER: 15. Shay McCarthy, 14. Conor Hayes, 13. Dan Goggin, 12. Harry Fleming, 11. Conor Phillips, 10. Evan Cusack, 9. Donnchadh O’Callaghan; 1. David Begley, 2. Dan Walsh, 3. Conor Bartley, 4. Tom Goggin, 5. Sean Rigney, 6. Alan Kennedy, 7. Ronan O’Sullivan, 8. Bailey Faloon. Replacements: 16. Conor Nesbitt, 17. George Jacobs, 18. Paulo Leleisiuao, 19. Eoin O’Connor, 20. Jack Lyons, 21. Fionn Gibbons.