Shannon scrape past Old Belvedere

Shannon 23 Old Belvedere 19

Mid-table Old Belvedere made Shannon work hard for this four-point win but second-half tries from forward duo Eoghan Grace and Padraic O'Brien steered the Limerick side home.

'Belvo stunned the Coonagh crowd as they cantered into a 12-0 lead thanks to tries from right winger Dave Mongan and powerfully built number 8 Leo Auva'a. Colm O'Neill converted one.

However, two penalties from David O'Donovan, either side of half-time, brought Shannon back into contention and they then took control.

Ireland Sevens international Grace sliced through for a try which Tadhg Bennett converted.

Bennett added a penalty and then tireless second row O'Brien burst through for another score which Bennett made a seven-pointer.

Shannon were far form impressive but did enough to warrant the win and a late Philip Treacy try, converted by O'Neill, gave Old Belvedere a losing bonus point as consolation.

Scorers:

Shannon: Tries: Eoghan Grace, Padraic O’Brien; Cons: Tadhg Bennett 2; Pens: Tadhg Bennett, David O’Donovan 2

Old Belvedere: Tries: Dave Mongan, Leo Auva’a, Philip Treacy; Cons:

Colm O’Neill 2

HT: Shannon 3 Old Belvedere 12