Shannon 51 Dolphin 7:Shannon closed the gap on league leaders Cork Constitution to a single point as they comprehensively dismantled Dolphin, running in seven tries in the process, at Thomond Park this afternoon.
John Lacey was the instigator in chief as Shannon raced out of the blocks, crossing for a hat-trick of scores with scarcely 20 minutes on the clock, to help Limerick men secure the all-important bonus point.
Dolphin did manage to stem the tide before the break - and grab a try of their own through Conor Twomey - but Shannon cut loose again in the second half to amass 51 points.
Tom Cregan, Gareth Noonan, Tom Hayes and Brian Tuohy completed the rout, all scoring tries while Cregan added five conversions and two penalties.
In this afternoon's only other All Ireland League action, second division Thomond were beaten 15-20 by Munster rivals Old Crescent.