ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE: SHANNON ARRIVED back at what they would consider their rightful position on the top of the All Ireland League.

The Limerick side ran in four tries against local rivals Young Munster at Tom Clifford Park in a 10-28 win. Although Shannon had two players sin-binned, scores from John Clogan, Pádraic O’Brien, David O’Donovan and Stephen Kelly moved Shannon from a 12-7 half-time lead into bonus-point territory by the end of the match.

They now head the table with 33 points, one point ahead of Garryowen and Clontarf. Cork Constitution and Blackrock College chase from fourth and fifth place respectively,

’Rock find themselves there thanks to an 18-8 defeat to St Mary’s College, who have now moved to upper mid-table. That’s a second win in a row for St Mary’s against Dublin opposition, Terenure being the last victims.

Tries from Darragh Fanning and Conor McInerney along with a couple of penalties from Shaun McCarthy harshly punished Blackrock’s generosity. Top-scorer Shane Monahan might be kicking himself for not taking two good chances with the line beckoning but knocked on in a frustrating afternoon’s play.

Clontarf brought to an end a run of three straight AIL defeats as Niall O’Brien helped himself to a hat-trick against Galwegians in Crowley Park. The former Connacht winger was clearly in sharp form as Clontarf doubled efforts to get their league campaign back on the rails. Galwegians failed to use a first-half wind advantage and trailed 7-6 at the break, Clontarf ending the match 13-25 winners.

At Belfield, UCD could do little to prevent Garryowen from stringing together their seventh successive AIL League win. Having qualified for the semi-final of the AIB Cup, their 14-7 win moves them up the table and breathing down Shannon’s neck.

Scrumhalf Conor Murray, part of the Ireland Under-20 side seeking a Grand Slam this season, ran in the game-deciding try, with Conor Kilroy kicking three penalties. UCD’s scores came from Noel Reid, who also converted.

Buccaneers recorded the biggest score of the day with their 43-11 win over Terenure College, who continue to prop up the bottom of the table along with Young Munster.