Shannon back in hunt after five-try win

Shannon 42 UCD 13

Shannon played themselves right back into the AIB League Division One title hunt, scoring five second half tries in a 42-13 demolition of leaders UCD at Thomond Park.

The students, whose last visit south was similarly harrowing - a 55-22 loss two seasons ago, held a 13-7 advantage at half-time but were simply overpowered on the restart, suffering their first loss of the season.

An 18th-minute chip through saw UCD scrum-half Brian O'Riordan touch down for halfback partner Eoghan Hickey to convert.

Two further Hickey penalties on 33 and 40 minutes gave the visitors a seemingly healthy 13-0 lead. David O'Donovan's try in the fifth minute of first half injury time was to prove crucial for Mick Galwey's side though.

Eddie Halvey broke through two tackles for O'Donovan to touch down, and David Delaney to add the extras.

Eight minutes after the restart, Shannon assumed the lead. Prop Tony Buckley burrowed over on second phase ball.

Delaney converted that and Brian Tuohy's 55th-minute score, with O'Donovan and Munster's Frankie Roche linking well in the set-up.

Winger Tuohy added his second just past the hour, as Shannon and Halvey began to run riot. Colm McMahon stretched over on the left flank in the 78th-minute after a scrum snipe for Andrew Thompson to convert.

And a Frankie McNamara rob in injury time rubbed salt into UCD's wounds as Fiach O'Loughlin bagged Shannon's sixth in a thunderous display.

Scorers: Shannon: Tries: David O'Donovan, Tony Buckley, Brian Tuohy 2, Colm McMahon, Fiach O'Loughlin; Cons: David Delaney 4, Andrew Thompson 2

UCD: Try: Brian O'Riordan; Con: Eoghan Hickey; Pens: Hickey 2