ATTACK . . . Galwegians out-half Peter Durcan in action against Shannon in the semi-finals of the AIB Cup at Crowley Park on Saturday. Photo: Declan Monaghan.

Galwegians 5
Shannon 8

Mick Galwey's Shannon booked their place in next weekend's AIB Cup final when they saw off the challenge of a wasteful Galwegians side at Crowley Park on Saturday.

But Shannon will need to step up a gear if they are to defeat Blackrock in the decider at Dubarry Park next Saturday.

Galwegians failed to make the strong wind advantage count and were facing an uphill when they trailed 5-0 at the break.

But Shannon failed to build on that advantage in the second-half and had Liam Bibo not hit the posts with two penalties, they would have paid the price.

The opening try came after 18 minutes when a good drive off a lineout on 22 ended with Niall Ronan getting over.

Bibo hit the woodwork with a penalty attempt seven minutes later and both sides had a man in the bin before the break in separate incidents with Shannon replacement prop Les Hogan marching inside three minutes of coming on, while Galwegians centre Alipate Tuilevaka was penalised for not rolling away just before the break.

It took a superb tackle from Richie Mullane to deny Galwegians flanker Ivan Muldoon five minutes after the restart as the home side took the game to Shannon.

David O'Donovan fluffed a 30 metre penalty while Bibo hit the right post at the other.

However, O'Donovan found the range fifteen minutes from time for an 8-0 lead but Galwegians finished strongly and a try from John Cleary after an initial break from Peter Durcan set up an exciting finish.

Galwegians:
Try: Cleary

Shannon: Try: Ronan
Pen: O'Donovan

Galwegians: L Bibo; J Cleary, B Sweeney, A Tuilevaka, B Lee; P Durcan, R Shaw; B McGovern, C Muldoon, J Stephens; A Browne, L Tonkin; M Webdale, I Muldoon, L Casserly.
Replacements: I Cullinane for Tonkin, 53 mins; J Naughton for Stephens, 54 mins; C O'Beirne for Lee, 74 mins; D McHugh for McGovern, 79 mins.

Shannon: A Finn; D O'Donovan, R Mullane, J Clogan, S Kelly; M Lawlor, F O'Loughlin; K O'Neill, S Cronin, G McNamara; P O'Brien, F Walsh; P O'Connor, N Ronan, D Quinlan.
Replacements: L Hogan for O'Neill, 30 mins; E Grace for O'Connor, 51 mins; J Manuel for Mullane, 53 mins.

Referee: M Hermin.

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