Shannon's frailties exposed

AIL League Round-up: Shannon are eventually going to hand over the AIB League crown. Considering a raft of players bid adieu after the three-in-a-row celebrations last May and with a depleted Munster playing on Sunday their famed strength in depth is being tested like seldom before.

A local derby against Garryowen finally exposed the flaws in Mick Galwey's 2006 squad. Credit must go to the Garryowen flyer Ciarán O'Boyle, who crossed for three fine tries as Shannon's invincibility at Thomond Park was punctured.

All three touchdowns came in the first half as O'Boyle's pace punished flat or lax defending.

Andrew Thompson scored all Shannon's points but they never looked like closing the deficit even to bonus-point territory in the 19-11 defeat.

The result means UL Bohemian - who thanks to tries from Colman Finn and Martin McPhail and two Ben Martin conversions took a bonus point from their 15-14 defeat to Lansdowne - stay top of Division One.

Lansdowne, as usual, dashed from the blocks and led 15-0 after 20 minutes before holding on down the home straight despite periods in the sinbin for scrumhalf Shane Whelan and prop Paul Doran Jones.

Belfast Harlequins' title credentials took a battering at Temple Hill as Cork Constitution overpowered them 25-3. Ed Leamy, younger brother of Ireland number eight Denis, forced his way over for one of Con's three tries.

Ballymena finally got their opening win of the season, at home to Galwegians. Tom Court crossed for their only try, with Dirkie Strydom's four penalties and a conversion, and two drop-goals from Paul Campbell easing early relegation jitters.

Elsewhere, Clontarf and Blackrock go into an unnecessary four-week break for the November internationals with bonus-point victories that give their inconsistent campaigns a vital lift.

Fionn Carr excelled with a 16-point display in Blackrock's 31-19 victory over Terenure at Stradbrook, where Leinster's forgotten man Des Dillon crossed for the vital fourth try.

Clontarf were too strong for a young UCD side, outhalf Peter O'Brien claiming two of their four tries.

With Ireland's matches against Australia and Pacific Islands on Sundays the league's regular Saturday slot should require no alteration. The break means the clubs' week-to-week routines are now to be disrupted.

The AIL resumes on December 2nd, though there are two fixtures next week as Dolphin travel to Belfast Harlequins and Shannon host St Mary's at Thomond Park.