Shannon back on top after victory
Saturday, 28 January 2006 18:45Champions Shannon rose back to the top of the AIB League Division One standings thanks to a two-try 13-8 victory against Blackrock College at Thomond Park.
Back row Colm McMahon, Shannon's captain for the season, scored a try on his first start since breaking the fourth metatarsal bone in his right foot in October.
Ireland Under-21 hooker Sean Cronin also touched down in the second half to help Mick Galwey's men up back up to first - just a single point clear of Limerick rivals Garryowen.
Blackrock, walloped by Cork Constitution (49-0) and Lansdowne (71-15) in recent weeks, proved sticky opponents and were unfortunate to be left trailing 5-3 at the break.
'Rock fly half Killian McGowan landed a 21st-minute penalty, but McMahon, just five minutes later, made the breakthrough for the home side, scoring his try in the left corner.
Dave Delaney swept the conversion wide and a rather listless first half was closed out with a yellow card for the visitors' prop Garrett Fitzgerald for persistent infringing.
Ten minutes into the second half, Brian Tuohy did well to stave off a certain try from 'Rock scrum half Ross Molloy who broke off the back of a ruck. 'Rock did get their try on 54 minutes when prop Sean Byrne ploughed over after an Eddie Manawaiti break.
Shannon number 10 Delaney squared it up at 8-apiece on 63 minutes and Cronin's try, five minutes later, proved to be the final act.
