AIB League – Shannon Go Top

Shannon’s comprehensive (44-3) victory over Co Carlow takes them back to the top of the table and plunges the Oak Park outfit deep into relegation trouble. Cork Con were held to a 12-12 draw and UCD’s surprised defeat at hands of DLSP (25-20) coupled with Clontarf’s 35-0 win over Terenure means that with three series of games to go, it is still all to play for.

Clontarf survived an early mauling and by half time they led 16-0 with Ollie Winchester scoring just before the break after good work by the Clontarf pack. Tarf twice had players sin binned but Terenure who had Peter O’Malley sent off in the closing stages for violent behaviour were never able to make their numerical advantage count. And despite being aided by a strong breeze after the break, they came out a clear second best with Ben Gissing, Clontarf’s dynamic number 8, having a fine game for his club. The second half saw Tarf run in three tries from Mike Walls, Alan Reddan, and Gissing whose 78th minute score was enough to give Clontarf the crucial bonus point.

There was good news for the Irish team meanwhile with Irish winger, Shane Horgan, coming through 80 minutes of play under the watchful gaze of Brian O’Brien as Lansdowne defeated Buccanneers 20-0. There were also wins for St Mary’s over Dungannon and Ballymena over Blackrock (20-13) but it is not looking good for Young Munster who lost 24-13 to Galwegians.

Meanwhile in Division Two, Belfast Harlequins are almost sure to go up after a comprehensive 52-3 over nearest rivals UL Bohemians. Bohs hol onto second place thanks to the shock 13-10 defeat of Old Crescent by Wanderers at Rosbrien and Barnhall kept their promotion prospects alive with a 30-9 win over Dolphin in Musgrave Park while their near neighbours Sundays Well were beaten 39-10 by Bective Rangers in Donnybrook.

In Division Three Dublin University lost 16-12 to Suttonians, Old Wesley lost 13-11 in Clonakilty so greystones took the opportunity to go top when they defeated Connemara 23-16 at Dr Hickey Park.