Old order faces new threat

Limerick, of all places, has gone and produced yet another club that look capable of ending Shannon's dominance of the AIB All-Ireland League.

UL Bohemians well deserved their dour 10-3 victory over Clontarf at Thomond Park yesterday, with secondrow Ryan Hartigan battering over for the game's only try.

Australian talisman Ben Martin added the conversion and a penalty to keep their 100 hundred per cent record intact and move them a point clear of Shannon.

In the only other fixture yesterday, Dolphin moved into the top half of the table with a convincing 24-3 victory over Blackrock at Musgrave Park.

Apart from the refreshing performances of these clubs (Dolphin only returned to Division One this season and UL Bohs came up in 2005), the table has a mundane look to it with the Limerick and Cork regulars stacked neatly in the play-off positions.

Again, the AIL is developing into a two-tier battle. Garryowen, Cork Constitution and arguably UL Bohs - who must still prove themselves against their rivals - remain the only contenders capable of knocking Shannon off their perch. But both Garryowen and Cork Con used up a life on Saturday.

Dungannon coach Jeremy Davidson was in desperate need of a victory, after two defeats in the opening two rounds, and his players produced the necessary response with a 22-18 result at Stevenson Park.

St Mary's College regained the Shay Deering Trophy at Templeville Road thanks in the main to the accurate boot of Jonathan Sexton. The Leinster outhalf landed three penalties and a drop goal in a 12-8 success over Garryowen.

Another outhalf on the Leinster books, Ian Keatley, was a try scorer in UCD's vital comeback to earn a 20-all draw with Lansdowne at the Belfield Bowl.

The result was crucial as it ended their losing streak and keeps them clear of the Ulster clubs who prop up the table.

Ballymena and Belfast Harlequins are officially in turmoil after coughing up eminently winnable home games against Buccaneers and Terenure - neither of whom look capable of challenging for honours.

On current form, all three Ulster clubs could be drawn into the relegation battle.

And finally, in typical champions style, Shannon went back to what they know best - eking out points from the maul and lineout - to beat Galwegians 15-14 at Crowley Park thanks to tries from hooker Seán Cronin and secondrow Pádraic O'Brien.