THE odds against Shannon, the defending champions, retaining the Insurance Corporation All-Ireland League first division title shortened after events at Donnybrook last Saturday.

A 22-12 victory over Old Wesley enabled Shannon to reclaim the top place in the table on points difference from Garryowen and set the scene for an exciting conclusion to the competition as these two clubs, as well as St Mary's College and Cork Constitution, all still have hopes of winning the title.

Shannon, having won the championship last season with a 100 per cent record, cannot emulate that fine achievement after losing two matches in the early months of the season. But their desire to retain it and become the first club to win it in consecutive seasons, has been sufficient to sharpen the club's great competitive leanings.

Old Wesley are out of contention and with no relegation this season do not have that threat hanging over them. Pride was consequently the spur for the home side and their performance gave the lie to the suggestion that clubs free from the possibility of relegation and not in the running for the title would not offer the necessary response to those with championship aspirations.

While Shannon won with 10 points to spare and deserved their victory, it was not until the 80th minute that they scored the try which assured victory.

That was a point taken up by Shannon's coach Niall O'Donovan after the match. "My main feeling is one of relief that we have won," he said. "I think that match provided the answer to suggestions that teams not in the running would not play to win. Old Wesley have always given us trouble and it was no different out there. I can tell you I did not relax until we got that last minute try. We should have made our superiority in the first 20 minutes of the second half pay and we did not. Old Wesley defended superbly and that, as well as our own mistakes, could have proved costly. The league is wide open now. We must win our two remaining matches and hope the other teams in contention will drop points. When you look at the remainder of the programme it could well come down to points difference, it could well be as close as that. With St Mary's due to meet Garryowen and Cork Constitution, O'Donovan could well be proved right.

Old Wesley matched Shannon in the scrum and while they did not enjoy the same ratio of possession as their opponents and were often stretched to hold out against the vigorous assaults of such as Brian Rigney, Mick Galwey and Shannon's back row trio, only twice was the defence breached - in the fifth and 80th minutes. Old Wesley had, too, in veteran full back Niall Farren, a man in top form with his place kicking. Nor were they afraid to explore the attacking possibilities of their back line.

In contrast to Farren, Pat Murray, Shannon's excellent fullback, was not in comparable placekicking form. He managed only two successful kicks from seven attempts in the first half, at the end of which Shannon led 11-6. But Murray, nevertheless ended with a personal contribution of 12 points.

Stuart Wilson had given Old Wesley the lead with a dropped goal, after four minutes and Shannon's reply was immediate. They won possession on the left and Mick Fitzgibbon made a drive ford the line. He was stopped, then after Noel Healy was also halted. Kieran Maher gained possession, and got over for a try. Murray missed the conversion and Farren kicked Old Wesley back into the lead after 23 minutes. Murray kicked his first goal from in front of the Old Wesley posts in the 28th minute and added a second penalty, again from in front of the posts, in the 36th minute to give his side a five-point interval advantage.

Old Wesley defended with tremendous resolution early in the second half with a penalty from Murray in the 51st minute Shannon's only reward for their pressure. Unable to break down the Old Wesley defence, Shannon had their lead cut to just two points with 12 minutes to go as Farren kicked two superb penalties.

Murray eased Shannon's anxieties with a penalty from nearly 40 yards in the 73rd minute and then just on time, Anthony Foley robbed Old Wesley at the line out and forced his way over the line for a try which Murray failed to convert.