Clontarf show title intent

All-Ireland League: The most predictable AIB All-Ireland League season has been saved by Clontarf who have loosened the grip Limerick clubs Garryowen and Shannon have held over the competition since last October.

Beating Shannon, with five tries, at Castle Avenue was commendable last week but going to Dooradoyle and denying Garryowen a bonus point proves they are title contenders.

Garryowen, missing Munster call-ups Damian Varley and Anthony Kavanagh, saw a nine-game winning streak come to an end, 18-10, when two tries by Derek Keane cancelled out a touchdown by Paul Neville.

Shannon went back on top of the table but they struggled to see off a Blackrock team desperately needing to restore some pride after three disastrous results. The final score was 13-8 but a two to one try count gives player coach Dave Dillon plenty of positives to work on as the AIL disappointingly enters another three week break. Blackrock host Garryowen on the other side.

Shannon must travel to in-form Lansdowne who, under Liam Toland and Brian O'Meara, produced another impressive performance at College Park to beat Trinity 33-8. A bonus point for the second week running puts Lansdowne into ninth place but the semi-finals seem out of reach.

The last play-off spot appears destined to be fought out between Cork Constitution (33 points) and Belfast Harlequins (32 points). Both recorded victories on Saturday with Con winning 20-9 in Carlow, while a late Michael Glancy drop goal saw off Ballymena in the Antrim derby at the Grafton Arena.

UL-Bohemians beat Galwegians thanks to another injury-time drop goal, this time from Fergal Lawlor.

The other games were dominated by aspiring Leinster outhalves as Eoghan Hickey kicked UCD home against Buccaneers, while Jonathan Sexton for St Mary's landed two tries, two conversions and four penalties in a 31-10 demolition of Dungannon.