All Ireland League round-upThere was finally a break in the Munster dominance of the AIB All Ireland League on Saturday as Clontarf beat Cork Constitution at Castle Avenue, but it is only a minuscule crack as the two Limerick clubs remain unbeaten.
Clontarf winger Max Rantz-McDonald was the hero of the day as his second-half try condemned Con to their first defeat of the campaign, 23-16, while also restoring the north Dublin club's pride.
Shannon displayed their massive strength in depth in defeating Ballymena 35-12 at Thomond Park, crossing for five tries despite three of their pack, Seán Cronin and Donnacha Ryan and Padraic O'Brien, playing their first AIL season. That makes it six straight wins for Mick Galwey's men going into the Christmas break.
Garryowen were not so convincing. Every week they face the team that is mauled by Shannon the previous Saturday. Reacting to a 27-0 defeat by the reigning champions, Dungannon offered stern resistance, but despite tries from Stanley McDowell and Glen Telford and a decent kicking display from Gareth Steenson, Garryowen edged home by a single point, 24-23. They remain second after failing to cross for a bonus fourth try.
Belfast Harlequins under new coach Andy Ward quietly crept into the fourth play-off spot, at the expense of an idle UCD, thanks to a convincing 34-0 victory over Galwegians at the Grafton Arena. Clontarf are level with them on points, five behind Con and eight off Shannon.
Blackrock are also in touch after their defence fronted up in the last quarter to grind out a 21-16 victory over Buccaneers at Stradbrook. Gary Brown and Peter Byrne crossed for the tries but it was the performances of player-coach Dave Dillon and Diarmuid Laffan in the back row that quelled a late comeback.
Laffan is the Leinster under-21 captain, making his exclusion from the recently announced 32-man Ireland under-21 squad puzzling.
UL Bohs recovered from recent defeats to Limerick neighbours to win in Carlow, while Lansdowne ended a three-game losing streak to beat St Mary's on their own patch.
