Shannon climb to second spot

Shannon 34 Buccaneers 6, Thomond Park

Shannon squeezed up to second in the Division One table as former Limerick Gaelic footballer Stephen Kelly helped himself to a try at Thomond Park.

Kelly crossed in only his second league game for the champions. He had a hand in their 16th-minute opener when he was held back for a penalty try.

Shannon led 22-6 at the break with prop Tony Buckley and hooker Sean Cronin adding tries – former Shannon goal-kicker Tom Cregan landed two penalties for Buccs.

The second half was stop-start with wingers Mark Tuohy (48 minutes) and Kelly (80) notching Shannon’s fourth and fifth tries.

Scorers: Shannon: Tries: Penalty try, Tony Buckley, Sean Cronin, Mark Tuohy, Stephen Kelly; Cons: Andrew Thompson 2, Tadhg Bennett; Pen: Thompson

Buccaneers: Pens: Tom Cregan 2