Shannon persist to secure another final spot

Shannon 21 Clontarf 11, Thomond Park, 2pm

Next Saturday will see champions Shannon will contest their third AIB League Division One final in four years after a two-try effort saw off plucky Clontarf 21-11 at Thomond Park.

The Limerick men ensured former Munster and Ireland skipper Mick Galwey his first outing as a coach at Lansdowne Road, scoring tries through Fionn McLoughlin and John O'Connor late on in either half.

'Tarf - 26-17 losers at the same venue four weeks ago - began well with two Daragh O'Shea penalties, but were keep scoreless for a full 70 minutes as Galwey's charges powered through.

O'Shea successes on 4 and 14 minutes were cancelled out by two Shannon penalties from man-of-the-match David Delaney - his second slot coming on 27 minutes.

The Shannon machine quickened pace in the first half's closing stages as referee Simon McDowell sent Clontarf lock Andy Wood to the sin-bin on 37 minutes for hauling down a ruck.

Shannon took full advantage as a 40th-minute lineout drive on the far side of the pitch saw left winger Fionn McLoughlin put over in the corner, for an 11-6 interval lead.

'Tarf full-back O'Shea missed a chance to reduce the deficit with a quick penalty on the restart and Delaney, who controlled matters in the loose, fired Shannon further in front on 57 minutes with his third kick.

With just two minutes remaining, a quick free kick-tap by substitute David Quinlan made certain of Shannon's ninth straight league success as flanker John O'Connor touched down - with two players in support.

Delaney converted for 21-6 but 'Tarf - beaten finalists in 2003 - had the last word as impressive sub scrum-half Dan van Zyl set up an injury-time move for fly-half Marc Hewitt to score a late consolation try.

Belfast Harlequins - who beat the Shannon men 19-18 in their Deramore Park meeting before Christmas - will face them again next Saturday, May 7 at Lansdowne Road (4.00pm, live RTE Two).

'Quins overcame Garryowen 15-8 in a dour struggle at Dooradoyle earlier today.

Shannon: D O'Donovan; I Dowling, B Tuohy, E Cahill, F McLoughlin; D Delaney, F O'Loughlin; L Hogan, N Conroy, T Buckley, E Halvey, T Hayes, (Capt), C McMahon, J O'Connor, S Keogh.

Subs used: J Blaney for Conroy, D Quinlan for Halvey (both 52 mins), G Murray for O’Loughlin (74)

Clontarf: D O'Shea; M Hewitt, C Mahony, J Downey, D Rossi; D Hewitt, M Walls; J Wickham, B Jackman, A Clarke, J Duffy, A Wood, D O'Brien (Capt), S O'Donnell, D Tafanel.

Sub used: D McAllister for O’Shea (34 mins), D van Zyl for Walls (55), W O’Kelly for Clarke (61)

Scorers: Shannon: Tries: Fionn McLoughlin, John O’Connor; Con: David Delaney; Pens: Delaney 3

Clontarf: Try: Marc Hewitt; Pens: Daragh O’Shea 2

HT: Shannon 11 Clontarf 6

Referee: Simon McDowell (Ulster)