Shannon beat Blackrock at Stradbrook

Blackrock 25 Shannon 32

The AIB League’s form side Shannon made it four consecutive wins at Stradbrook as the Division One top scorer Tom Cregan scored 27 points in this win over Blackrock.

It should have been a lot easier for Geoff Moylan’s men, who had a prized record of having conceded just one try per game from their previous seven, but Blackrock came back from a 19-3 deficit on the half-hour to make this an excellent contest.

Right winger Cregan heads the league’s scoring charts now on 109 points and not far behind is Rock full-back Conor Kilroy who mustered a try, two penalties and two conversions for a personal tally of 15.

Two early penalties from Cregan put second-placed Shannon in front before scrum half Fiach O’Loughlin went over for his second try of the campaign on 24 minutes, converted by Cregan.

Kilroy who celebrated his 27th birthday yesterday kicked the home side onto the score board four minutes later and two quick fire tries from lock Dave Gannon (33 mins) and wing John Hearty (37), following a well-timed pass from out-half Emmet Farrell put the Dubliners just two behind at 19-17 at half-time.

Rock, who had previously lost to Carlow and Buccaneers at Stradbrook this season, led after three second-half minutes as Kilroy hit over his second penalty before Cregan struck with a penalty and try, set up well by replacement scrum half Mossie Lawler and captain Tom Hayes.

Those scores gave the visitors a nine point lead but Kilroy’s try in the 56th minute brought Rock back to life.

A conversion off the posts from the full back ruined his 100% record this season and a left-sided penalty attempt from Kilroy flashed across the Shannon uprights with 12 minutes remaining.

A late Cregan penalty gave Shannon their seven-point lead which they failed to relinquish.