Shannon maiintained their push for a place in the AIB League play-offs with a 20-11 victory over a Co Carlow side that included Argentine international Felipe Contepomi.For many, the main attraction of this game was the fact that Leinster's newest signing Contepomi was lining out for is first game in this country, however for Shannon the main focus was achieving another win in the league and thus consolidating their position in the league. Despite the fact that nine places separated the sides going into the game, this was never a straight forward game for the home side. With league rules dictating that only one foreign player could tog out, Co. Carlow's South African player/coach Dan Van Zyl took the decision to sacrifice himself for the star attraction. A difficult decision , no doubt, and although Contepomi did play reasonably well, many would many would say that Van Zyl's influence would have served his side far better from the field of play rather than the sideline.

Shannon on the other hand fielded possibly their strongest side of the season too date with Eddie Halvey and Mossy Lawler starting their first AIL game of the season, but it was their regular stars that brightened an otherwise mediocre game. Tom Cregan added another healthy contribution to his impressive season total with a 15 point haul including a super first half try. Eoin Cahill added a second early in the second half which put a decent margin between the sides.

Carlow came into the game on the back of a 4 game losing streak and despite adding another to their unwanted record, they are a team that belies their recent form. Dogmatic and tenacious they have caused teams to dig deep, but on this occasions they had little in their repertoire to trouble A Shannon side who have that winning habit. They did score a late try to bring respectability to the score but in truth Shannon were rarely troubled.

Shannon deserved their win and are on course for a top four finish. Their league destiny lies in their own hands and it would appear that only a drastic change in fortunes can deter them from their aspirations.

(Match Report - Andrew McNamara.)