Shannon far too strong for Clontarf

Shannon claimed their third successive All Ireland League title at Lansdowne Road this afternoon, sweeping aside the challenge of Clontarf for a 30-3 win.

Mick Galwey's side made sure of the title with a powerful display, strangling Clontarf's supply of possession while proving resolute in defence to deny the challengers scoring opportunities.

Tries from Sean Cronin, Eoin Cahill, Alan Thompson and David O'Donovan settled the matter, the first coming after just eight minutes courtesy of a flowing move launched from deep inside their own territory.

Cronin made the initial break, punching a gaping hole in the Clontarf midfield before spreading it wide and the hooker was on hand to provide support at the end of the attack, outstripping the cover defence for an excellent score.

Darragh O'Shea, who had earlier missed his opening kick at the posts, reduced the deficit with a penalty on 15 minutes and while Clontarf enjoyed a spell of pressure deep in the Shannon 22, they were unable to put any further points on the board and Delaney punished them with two penalties of his own to establish a 13-3 half-time lead.

Clontarf battled to regain the initiative after the break but were again unable to turn pressure into points.

O'Shea was guilty of spurning a straightforward penalty at the start of the second half, and the introduction of Alan Quinlan and Stephen Keogh for Shannon shortly afterwards swung the balance back in Shannon's favour.

Rejuvenated, Shannon launched a series of assaults on the Clontarf line and it was no surprise when Eoin Cahill broke through the cover from close range.

With Clontarf stretched, Thompson and O'Donovan crossed for late scores to ensure the title was heading back to Limerick for the eighth time.

Earlier, Clonakilty claimed the Division Three title after a 19-12 win over Suttonians while the Division Two decider has been postponed until a later date.

Clontarf: D O'Shea; N O'Brien, M Hewitt, J Downey, D Keane; P O'Brien, F O'Loughlin; J Wickham (capt), N Carson, R Sweeney, A Trenier, A Wood, J Ellison, D O'Brien, P Purdue.

Replacements used: M R McDonald for Keane (47 mins), K Dorian for Sweeney, A O'Donnell for Wickham (both 60), M Woods for Purdue (74)

Shannon: M Lawlor; P O'Connor, B Tuohy, E Cahill, A Thompson; D Delaney, F McNamara; L Hogan, S Cronin, G McNamara, T Hogan, P O'Brien, C McMahon (capt), J O'Connor, D Ryan.

Replacements used: A Quinlan for McMahon, S Keogh for O'Brien (both 53 mins), D O'Donovan for P O'Connor (74)