Victory gives Shannon second chance to stay in top division

Shannon 38 Lansdowne 19

Shannon's pride saw them survive automatic relegation from Ulster Bank League Division 1A as they earned a deserved win against already crowned champions Lansdowne at Coonagh.

However, Shannon's battle against the drop is not over yet as they must play UCD, the second-placed team in Division 1B, in a play-off to decide who plays in the top flight next season.

The Limerick men got off to a worrying start this afternoon when Tom Kiersey, standing in for Craig Ronaldson at out-half, glided in for a Lansdowne try.

But Shannon showed their battling qualities when durable centre Eric Moloney hit back with an unconverted try to make it 5-5.

Winger Shane McNamara then nabbed Shannon's second try for a lead that they never relinquished and Richie Mullane added a third, converted by Tadhg Bennett, to make it 17-5.

Tadhg Bierne kept the game very much alive with a second Lansdowne try which Tom Daly converted.

A penalty by Bennett pushed Shannon out to 20 points, but just on half-time Mark Roche touched down for the title winners and it was 20-19 to the hosts at the break.

Whatever was said to the Shannon players during the interval certainly paid dividends as they totally dominated the second half, with veteran prop Marcus Horan playing his part up front.

Moloney cut through for his second try of the game which crucially earned a bonus point in the fight to finish ahead of relegation rivals UL Bohemians, and Bennett put over two more penalties.

To put the icing on the cake for Shannon, Shane McNamara completed a fine brace of tries. Bennett's successful conversion was the final score of an end-to-end game, the conclusion of which sparked a rousing rendition of Shannon's club anthem, '“There is an Isle”'.

Scorers:

Shannon: Tries: Richie Mullane, Eric Moloney 2, Shane McNamara 2; Cons: Tadhg Bennett 2; Pens: Tadhg Bennett 3

Lansdowne: Tries: Tadhg Beirne, Tom Kiersey, Mark Roche; Cons: Mark Roche, Tom Daly

HT: Shannon 20 Lansdowne 19