Ulster Bank League: Division 1B Reviews - SHANNON vs UCC

SHANNON 20 UCC 14, Thomond Park back pitch

Player-coach Tom Hayes and Munster's Duncan Casey were part of a victorious home pack as Shannon outlasted their Munster rivals UCC by four points on Thomond Park's back pitch.

Neither try-line was troubled during an opening spell dominated by probing kicks and handling errors closer in. Hooker Casey made a couple of notable carries, while UCC out-half Tom Kiersey showed his breaking ability on one early surge.

As a rain shower grew heavier, the Shannon forwards took over with a great 23rd-minute maul and UCC could not hold out as flanker Niall Mulcahy crashed over the try-line. It was a double blow for the students who lost their captain Kevin Slater to the sin-bin and Conor Fitzgerald added the extras for 7-0.

On the half hour mark, UCC's ace goal-kicker Kevin O'Keeffe continued his impressive form with a terrific strike from the 10-metre line to get the visitors off the mark. A scrum penalty allowed current Ireland Under-20 international Fitzgerald to respond in quick fashion at the other end.

With the wind dying down, O'Keeffe had the final say before half-time, punishing Shannon for not rolling away as he found the target from just inside the hosts' half. At 10-6 it was still anyone's game.

Hayes' charges restored their seven-point advantage in the 51st minute, Fitzgerald negotiating a swirling wind as he split the posts after young number 8 John Foley had produced a fine lineout steal.

But it was a two-point game entering the final quarter with UCC crossing out wide through full-back Richie Walsh, with O'Keeffe unable to convert. Number 8 Paul Derham was a key figure as the visitors' pick-and-goes began to hurt the Shannon defence.

Some clever tactical kicking from Fitzgerald kept Shannon playing in the right areas of the pitch, though. As they ramped up the pressure, hugely influential prop Tony Cusack, who worked his socks off, blocked an attempted UCC clearance kick.

Shortly afterwards, Shannon replacement Luke Moylan was the victim of a pull-back during a kick chase and UCC were down to 14 men for a second time. Shannon took advantage almost immediately, scrum half Keith Kavanagh attacking the blindside off a 68th minute maul and sending winger Greg O'Shea over for a timely seven-pointer.

Having won their last three games, UCC were not going to go down without a fight and a third penalty goal from O'Keeffe had them back in bonus point range. The students had most of the possession and territory during the closing stages, spreading the ball wide at will but Shannon were up to the task and their determined defence saw them deservedly hold on.