Shannon produced a blistering finish in their AIB League Division One encounter with Cork Con to secure a 21-15 victory at Thomond Park. For 73 minutes the match was dominated by the rival place kickers with Con's Pat McCarthy putting over four penalties and a drop goal to three penalties for Shannon by Andrew Thompson to leave the Cork side seemingly in control at 15-9. But it was then that the game really burst into life.
With six minutes to go Shannon prop Tony Buckley burst over for a try only for Thompson to miss the conversion and leave Con still a point in front at 15-14. But in their credit Shannon came again and Eddie Halvey was twice to the fore in creating a superb winning try for Brian Buckley which Thompson converted from the touchline to leave the final score 21-15 in Shannon's favour.
Meanwhile, Clontarf beat Lansdowne 34-11 to go top of the AIB League First Division. Ballymena beat Dungannon 13-12 in an all-Ulster clash to stay in second place. Blackrock College are still third, despite a suprising 16-15 defeat to bottom-placed Terenure. Elsewhere, Belfast Harlequins overcame UCD 52-29 and Co Carlow were beaten 22-10 by St Mary's.
Filed by Greg McKevitt
