Shannon rally to take points against Carlow

Shannon 18, Co Carlow 10

All-Ireland League champions Shannon, fielding without a number of international and Munster players, collected the four league points on offer when they recovered from a poor start to defeat Co Carlow 18-10 at the Oak Park ground in Carlow.

Shannon were 10-0 down after five minutes of play after the home side scored a converted try and a penalty.

But by half-time, the champions were level at 10-all, thanks to a well-taken try from right-wing Niall McNamara, converted by centre Andrew Thompson, who also kicked a successful penalty before the interval.

Shannon went in front for the first time to a marvellous score from 50 metres by Thompson and sealed the points with a 60th-minute try from team captain and number 8 David Quinlan.

Carlow will rue the fact that they missed four very kickable penalties over the space of the game.