Sport

Young Munster lose but O'Connell returns

RUGBY: A CROWD OF almost 4,000 gave the biggest cheer of the night at Thomond Park to greet the return to action after 250 days…

Sat Nov 27 2010 - 00:00

RUGBY:A CROWD OF almost 4,000 gave the biggest cheer of the night at Thomond Park to greet the return to action after 250 days of Paul O'Connell. The Munster captain entered the fray for the second half after a rousing first half but was on the losing side at the end as Shannon pipped his Young Munster 18-17.

Another huge cheer went up as he gained possession for the first time and drove at the Shannon defence.

His presence added to what was a splendid contest between these two great city rivals who had to contend with heavy sleet which fell in the second half to provide great entertainment.

After the game O’Connell said: “I am delighted to be back. I enjoyed getting back into the action but I am disappointed about the result. I am available for selection for either club or province but who that will be is not in my hands.”

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O’Connell admitted that in terms of fitness he was a long way off the place he wants to be. But that, he said, will only come with more matches. “I feel no ill affects and it is just great to be back and to have played in a local derby. I trained with Shannon’s Paddy Butler during the last few weeks and we were in opposition tonight.

“I am sorry for the team who are a great bunch of lads as I know the effort they put in,” he said.

Shannon picked up the valuable points as Alan Kingsley failed with the last kick of the game, a 35-yard penalty. A drive by O’Connell led to a Young Munster penalty which Alan Kingsley converted to atone for three previous misses. O’Connell was then penalised for not releasing the ball in a tackle and Tadgh Bennett pushed Shannon six points clear.

A lay-off by O’Connell sent the Young Munster backs in motion and fullback Ray Moloney got in for a try in the corner three minutes from the end.

SHANNON: D ODonovan; R Mullane, M Lawler, M ODriscoll, L ODea; T Bennett, P Rowley (R Guerin 48 mins); G McNamara, (L Hogan 43 mins), D Casey, K Griffin; S Duggan, F Walsh; D Heffernan, (C McMahon (48 mins), P Butler, D Quinlan.

YOUNG MUNSTER: R Moloney; A Carroll, M Costelloe, G Jones, M Doyle; A Kingsley, S Upton; G Flaherty, G Slattery, A Cotter; J Moroney, (P OConnell (h/t), S ONeill; L Og Murphy, J ONeill, (S Hassett (55 mins), B Guilfoyle.