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Shannon R.F.C

Located in the shadows of Thomand Park, Shannon R.F.C is well known and respected in rugby circles worldwide. It boasts of a rich tradition in Limerick, and through success on the field, the club has contributed in a major way to enriching community life and adding to the sporting and cultural life and adding to the sporting and cultural heritage of the city.

With a record nine all Ireland, Shannon is Irelands most successful club with over twenty players from the club having represented Ireland at senior international level with three being selected for the British and Irish Lions: Colm Tucker in 1980, Gerry McLoughlin and Mick Galwey in 1993. In more recent times the club has provided many munster players as well as having ten senior ladies internationals.

Shannon was founded on the 18 February 1884.The founding  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 70 years and won the Munster Junior Cup for the first  time in 1914. Their first Transfield cup was won in 1938. Shannon's 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, 6-3 in a replay at Thomond Park, having drawn 8-8 the previous week at Musgrave Park, Cork.]

Over the years, 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. 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 five training pitches there, floodlights and a spacious dressing rooms.