Shannon moved into the outright lead at the top of the All-Ireland League Division One with a comprehensive 30-11 win over Young Munster this afternoon.
Shannon started the day level on points with Co Carlow but the Division One newcomers suffered at 34-25 loss at Blackrock leaving Shannon all alone at the top of the table, with just a single point advantage over Limerick rivals Garryowen.
Shannon, who overcame Garryowen in a dour contest last weekend, were kicked into an early lead via four Tom Cregan penalties and from that platform were never going to be troubled.
Flanker David Quinlan then pressed home Shannon’s dominance, crossing the Young Munster line for a try before John Lacey extended the advantage with another. All Young Munster could muster in response was six points from the boot and Shannon headed into the interval with a commanding 24-6 lead.
The second period was a more low-key affair for Shannon and two more Cregan penalties were their only other scores. Young Munster did manage a try of some quality but were never within touching distance and Shannon finished the game untroubled.
Garryowen bounced back from defeat at the hands of the leaders last Sunday with a 34-19 win over DLSP at Kilternan. That result moves them into second spot, a point above Clontarf while UCD's win against Terenure leaves them in fourth.p> All Sunday's Results:
UCD 22 Terenure College 21
Blackrock College 34 Co Carlow 25
Shannon 30 Young Munster 11
St Mary’s 19 Clontarf 21
Galwegians 20 Lansdowne 16
DLSP 19 Garryowen 34
Played yesterday:
Ballymena 23 Buccaneers 9