Shannon RFC
Encyclopedia
Shannon Rugby Football Club is an amateur
rugby union
team from Ireland
, they hail from Limerick
near the banks of the Shannon river.
The club is a member of the Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch
and as one of the top amateur sides in Ireland has seen many of its players progress to professional and international rugby.
Shannon remained a junior club for the best part of 70 years, during which time Shannon supplied numerous players to Garryowen
's successful senior sides. Shannon won the Munster Junior Cup
for the first of many times in 1914. Their first Transfield cup was won in 1938. The following year, the Munster Junior Cup
was won again. One year later(1940), in the process of winning their first Charity Cup, they added both the Munster Junior Cup
and Transfield Cup.
Shannon's continued and consistent success as a junior club eventually led to the club attaining senior status in the 1953-54 season, becoming Limerick's fifth senior club.
It was not until 1960 that Shannon won their first Munster Senior Cup
, defeating University College Cork, 6pts to 3 in a pulsating replay at Thomond Park, having drawn 8-8 the previous week at Musgrave Park
, Cork
.
Over the years, since the club's inception, Shannon have had numerous temporary grounds, among them the field at the Island Bank, Gilligan's field, Johnny Cusack's field and Egan's Field on the Mill Rd. in Corbally. The first purchased grounds were 14 acres (56,656 m²) of land at Fir Hill, Gortatogher, (better known as Athlunkard) just two miles (3 km) from Limerick city. However, a few years ago, it was determined that this was not big enough, so it was sold to Corbally Utd. soccer club in favour of our current more spacious grounds at Coonagh off the Ennis Road. Shannon currently have 3 training pitches there, floodlights and newly built dressing rooms, and are developing two more pitches.
While still a junior club, Shannon became co-tenants with Bohemians RFC at the Munster RFU
-owned grounds at famed Thomond Park
. In 1967, they completed their own Club Pavilion
there. In 1978, the Pavilion was extended to the size it is today. There is talk currently of a further extension as the needs of a successful club in this professional age expand rapidly.
A great milestone in the history of the club was the celebration of their centenary in 1984. In a long and illustrious history Shannon have won everything that has to be won in the game. However, that does not diminish the hunger for success that is the hallmark of Shannon teams at every level.
Munster
Three Shannon players, Brendan Foley, Colm Tucker
and Gerry McLoughlin
, played for the Munster
side that defeated the touring All Blacks
12-0 on October 31 1978 at Thomond Park
. Mick Galwey captained the Munster side when they finished as runners up in the Heineken Cup
finals of 2001
and 2002
. In the 2005-06
season seven Shannon players, including the captain, Anthony Foley
, helped Munster win the Heineken Cup for the first time.
at full international level.
.
See also
Amateur
An amateur is generally considered a person attached to a particular pursuit, study, or science, without pay and often without formal training....
rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
team from Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, they hail from Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
near the banks of the Shannon river.
River Shannon
The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland at . It divides the west of Ireland from the east and south . County Clare, being west of the Shannon but part of the province of Munster, is the major exception...
The club is a member of the Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch
Munster Rugby
Munster Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Munster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup.The team represents the Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch which is one of four primary branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish...
and as one of the top amateur sides in Ireland has seen many of its players progress to professional and international rugby.
History
Shannon was founded on the 18 February 1884, in the Shamrock Bar, a Pub by the old Park Bridge, Corbally Road, Limerick. The founder members were Paddy Lynch, Dan Duggan, Richie Gleeson, Pierce Hartney and Joe Hegarty. Paddy Lynch captained the first Shannon team and Stephan Hanrahan was president of the club for the first two years of its existence.Shannon remained a junior club for the best part of 70 years, during which time Shannon supplied numerous players to Garryowen
Garryowen Football Club
Garryowen Football Club , usually referred to as Garryowen, is a rugby union club from Limerick, Ireland. Historically it has been one of the most successful clubs in Irish rugby union leagues.-Name:...
's successful senior sides. Shannon won the Munster Junior Cup
Munster Junior Cup
The Munster Junior Cup is a rugby union competition played in the province of Munster, Ireland. The competition was established for the stronger junior clubs and the second teams of the Senior clubs in the province of Munster...
for the first of many times in 1914. Their first Transfield cup was won in 1938. The following year, the Munster Junior Cup
Munster Junior Cup
The Munster Junior Cup is a rugby union competition played in the province of Munster, Ireland. The competition was established for the stronger junior clubs and the second teams of the Senior clubs in the province of Munster...
was won again. One year later(1940), in the process of winning their first Charity Cup, they added both the Munster Junior Cup
Munster Junior Cup
The Munster Junior Cup is a rugby union competition played in the province of Munster, Ireland. The competition was established for the stronger junior clubs and the second teams of the Senior clubs in the province of Munster...
and Transfield Cup.
Shannon's continued and consistent success as a junior club eventually led to the club attaining senior status in the 1953-54 season, becoming Limerick's fifth senior club.
It was not until 1960 that Shannon won their first Munster Senior Cup
Munster Senior Rugby Cup
The Munster Senior Cup is a rugby union competition for the senior clubs affiliated to the Munster branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union.-1880s:* 1886 Bandon beat Garryowen* 1887 Queens College beat Limerick County* 1888 Queens College beat Garryowen...
, defeating University College Cork, 6pts to 3 in a pulsating replay at Thomond Park, having drawn 8-8 the previous week at Musgrave Park
Musgrave Park, Cork
Musgrave Park is a rugby football stadium in the city of Cork, Ireland. The ground consists of four terraces, one stand, three tribunes, one jogging track, and two VIP stands on the west side. Musgrave has a capacity of about 9,251 and is situated on Pearse Road in Ballyphehane...
, Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
.
Over the years, since the club's inception, Shannon have had numerous temporary grounds, among them the field at the Island Bank, Gilligan's field, Johnny Cusack's field and Egan's Field on the Mill Rd. in Corbally. The first purchased grounds were 14 acres (56,656 m²) of land at Fir Hill, Gortatogher, (better known as Athlunkard) just two miles (3 km) from Limerick city. However, a few years ago, it was determined that this was not big enough, so it was sold to Corbally Utd. soccer club in favour of our current more spacious grounds at Coonagh off the Ennis Road. Shannon currently have 3 training pitches there, floodlights and newly built dressing rooms, and are developing two more pitches.
While still a junior club, Shannon became co-tenants with Bohemians RFC at the Munster RFU
Munster Rugby
Munster Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Munster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup.The team represents the Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch which is one of four primary branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish...
-owned grounds at famed Thomond Park
Thomond Park
Thomond Park is a stadium located in Limerick in the Irish province of Munster. The stadium is owned by the Irish Rugby Football Union and count Munster Rugby, Shannon RFC and UL Bohemian RFC as tenants. The capacity of the stadium is 26,500 following its large scale redevelopment in...
. In 1967, they completed their own Club Pavilion
Pavilion (structure)
In architecture a pavilion has two main meanings.-Free-standing structure:Pavilion may refer to a free-standing structure sited a short distance from a main residence, whose architecture makes it an object of pleasure. Large or small, there is usually a connection with relaxation and pleasure in...
there. In 1978, the Pavilion was extended to the size it is today. There is talk currently of a further extension as the needs of a successful club in this professional age expand rapidly.
A great milestone in the history of the club was the celebration of their centenary in 1984. In a long and illustrious history Shannon have won everything that has to be won in the game. However, that does not diminish the hunger for success that is the hallmark of Shannon teams at every level.
Honours
- AIB LeagueAIB LeagueThe Ulster Bank All-Ireland League is the national league system for the 48 senior rugby union clubs in Ireland, covering both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It is not, however, the highest level of rugby union in Ireland, as teams representing the four provinces of Ireland play...
- Winners 1994-95, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98, 2001-02, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2008-09: 9
- AIB Cup
- 2008: 1
- Munster Senior CupMunster Senior Rugby CupThe Munster Senior Cup is a rugby union competition for the senior clubs affiliated to the Munster branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union.-1880s:* 1886 Bandon beat Garryowen* 1887 Queens College beat Limerick County* 1888 Queens College beat Garryowen...
- Winners: 1960, 1977, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998, 1999-00, 2000-01, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007-08: 19
- Munster Junior CupMunster Junior CupThe Munster Junior Cup is a rugby union competition played in the province of Munster, Ireland. The competition was established for the stronger junior clubs and the second teams of the Senior clubs in the province of Munster...
- Winners: 1914, 1920, 1924-25, 1939-40, 1954, 1961-62, 1996: 7
- Munster Senior League
- Winners: 1981, 1986, 1989, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05: 7
MunsterMunster RugbyMunster Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Munster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup.The team represents the Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch which is one of four primary branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish...
Three Shannon players, Brendan Foley, Colm TuckerColm Tucker
Colm Tucker is a former international rugby union player. He toured South Africa in 1980 with the British Lions during a period when at club level he was representing Shannon RFC. Tucker was educated at St. Munchin's College in Limerick.-Notes:...
and Gerry McLoughlin
Gerry McLoughlin
Gerard Anthony Joseph McLoughlin is a former international rugby union player. He played club rugby for Shannon RFC and played on the 1983 British Lions tour to New Zealand....
, played for the Munster
Munster Rugby
Munster Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Munster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup.The team represents the Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch which is one of four primary branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish...
side that defeated the touring All Blacks
All Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
12-0 on October 31 1978 at Thomond Park
Thomond Park
Thomond Park is a stadium located in Limerick in the Irish province of Munster. The stadium is owned by the Irish Rugby Football Union and count Munster Rugby, Shannon RFC and UL Bohemian RFC as tenants. The capacity of the stadium is 26,500 following its large scale redevelopment in...
. Mick Galwey captained the Munster side when they finished as runners up in the Heineken Cup
Heineken Cup
The Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
finals of 2001
2000-01 Heineken Cup
The 2000–01 Heineken Cup was the sixth edition of the Heineken Cup. Competing teams from France, Ireland, Italy, Wales, England and Scotland, were divided into six pools of four, in which teams played home and away matches against each other...
and 2002
2001-02 Heineken Cup
The 2001–02 Heineken Cup was the seventh edition of the Heineken Cup. Competing teams from France, Ireland, Italy, Wales, England and Scotland, were divided into six pools of four, in which teams played home and away matches against each other. The pool winners and two best runners-up qualified for...
. In the 2005-06
2005-06 Heineken Cup
The 2005–06 Heineken Cup was the eleventh edition of the European Heineken Cup rugby union club tournament. 24 teams from 7 different countries took part, with the opening game played on Friday October 21, 2005...
season seven Shannon players, including the captain, Anthony Foley
Anthony Foley
Anthony "Axel" Foley is a retired Irish rugby union footballer. He was educated at St Munchin's College in Limerick.-Shannon:...
, helped Munster win the Heineken Cup for the first time.
Ireland
The following Shannon players have represented IrelandIreland national rugby union team
The Ireland national rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team competes annually in the Six Nations Championship and every four years in the Rugby World Cup, where they reached the quarter-final stage in all but two competitions The Ireland national rugby union...
at full international level.
|
British and Irish Lions
The following Shannon players have also represented the British and Irish LionsBritish and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
.
|
See also
First XV (2010/11)
15}}16 - J. Cronin, 17 - K. O'Neill, 18 - D. Heffernan, 19 - C. McMahon; 20 - R. Guerin, 21 - T. Bennett (k), 22 - R. Mullane.
Current MunsterMunster RugbyMunster Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Munster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup.The team represents the Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch which is one of four primary branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish...
-Contracted Players
- Tony BuckleyTony BuckleyTony "Mushy" Buckley is an Irish rugby union player from Newmarket, County Cork, who plays tighthead prop for Sale in the Aviva Premiership and for Ireland. He is currently one of the heaviest men playing professional rugby, weighing in at 21 st 5 lbs or 135 kilograms. He wears size 16 boots...
- Paddy ButlerPatrick ButlerPatrick Butler is an Irish professional rugby union player. His position is in the back row as either a Number 8 or a Blind-side flanker. He plays his club rugby with Shannon and provincially with Munster. He was the captain of Rockwell College in the Munster Senior Cup in 2008 having also played...
- Jerry FlanneryJerry FlanneryJeremiah Paul "Jerry" Flannery is an Irish rugby union player who plays at Hooker for Munster and Ireland.-Early career:...
- Marcus HoranMarcus HoranMarcus Horan is an Irish rugby union player who plays loose-head-prop for Munster and Ireland.Horan was educated at St. Munchin's College and Limerick Institute of Technology...
- Felix JonesFelix JonesFelix Jones is an American football running back for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. After playing college football and majoring in kinesiology at the University of Arkansas, he was drafted by the Cowboys 22nd overall in the 2008 NFL Draft...
- Alan QuinlanAlan QuinlanAlan Quinlan is an Irish rugby union player. He played for Munster and is registered to the AIB League side Shannon. He retired from rugby in May 2011.-Career:...
- Niall RonanNiall RonanNiall Ronan is an Irish rugby union player for Munster in the RaboDirect Pro12. He plays as a flanker.Ronan grew up playing Gaelic football and represented Meath GAA in the All-Ireland Minor Football Championship. He won the Senior Schools Leinster Championships in 2000 with St. Mary's, Drogheda...
- Peter StringerPeter StringerPeter Alexander Stringer is an Irish rugby union player who plays at scrum half for Munster and Ireland. He is one of the most recognisable players in world rugby as Stringer stands only 1.7m tall and weighs in at just over 70 kg .-Career:In February 2000, he made his debut for Ireland...
Current Munster Academy-Contracted Players
- Luke O'Dea
- Gareth Quinn McDonogh
- Paul Rowley
2011/12 players in
- Stephen KeoghStephen KeoghStephen Keogh is an Irish rugby union player.- Early life :Keogh was born in Limerick, Ireland, and grew up in Dromkeen, County Limerick. He attended St. Munchin's College before playing in the second-row for Ireland U21s in the World Cup in Johannesburg in June 2002...
(player/coach, number 8, from LeinsterLeinster RugbyLeinster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Leinster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Dublin, representing the Irish province of Leinster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro 12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup...
)