Shannon survive Galwegians scare to stay top

Shannon 21 Galwegians 9

Shannon still sit top of the pile in AIB League Division One despite a scare from Galwegians at Thomond Park today.

Mick Galwey's side were forced to come from behind to win 21-9 in a poor quality game, which Shannon claimed in the closing quarter thanks to tries from David O'Donovan and Donnacha Ryan.

A second-minute drop goal from 'Wegians young fly half Peter Durkin opened proceedings and the westerners led 9-6 at the break as Shannon split two penalties apiece with the visitors' full back John Cleary.

'Wegians did end the half down to 14 men as Hugh Murphy was yellow-carded for holding on in the tackle.

'Wegians also lost captain and flanker Ambrose Conboy to the sin-bin early in the second half, but the scoreboard remained untouched until 69 minutes.

A break from returning Shannon flanker Eddie Halvey, back from a back injury, saw Thompson offload for O'Donovan to grab the game's first try.

Number 10 Thompson missed the conversion but added a penalty seconds later after 'Wegians back row Brian McClearn was sin-binned for offside.

Six minutes from the finish lock Ryan was on hand to score in the left corner for an uncoverted effort that confirmed the champions' second win.