IT was a day for heroes and historic accomplishment. It was an occasion that left a heady glow and the secure feeling that rugby is still a game that does not need big money deals to bring-out the best in the human spirit.

It was an enriching experience to be in Thomond Park last Saturday. Nowhere is there a greater rivalry than in Limerick, yet nowhere either is there so great a sense of community or appreciation of the essence of rugby football. A crowd of 6,000 turned up for a local derby which Shannon deeded to win to take the Insurance Corporation All-Ireland league title for a third successive year.

It was duly accomplished, and so the cheers rose, the tears flowed and thousands surrounded the victory rostrum to join the legendary Frankie Flynn has he lead the crowd in singing the Shannon victory anthem, There Is An Isle.

Thus another great triumph in the history of a great club as Shannon embellished their many achievements and enriched our imagery as we savoured another memorable occasion and celebration of a magnificent tradition. An occasion and an achievement without precedent that will be celebrated in song and story, in myth and in memory. into the match in hot pursuit of victory but found themselves having to wrestle with their anxieties in the first half. At the end of the initial period Old Crescent led 15-10, and that was no more than a just reflection of their worth. Could it be that we were to bear witness to a great surprise and that Shannon would have to wait a week before the crowning ceremony?

But no club is greater at assessing their capabilities than Shannon and displaying them when most needed. And nothing is larger than the range of their hearts and the depth of their spirit. Those are the qualities they ally to their talents that have seen them through many a turbulent battle and reach out for and attain conquests that would have been beyond the capacity of many teams.

Yet again, to a man they answered the call when it came. The game as we knew and loved it is more than a memory in Shannon; it is a way of life.

Conor McDermott, their admirable captain, put it well as he carried the trophy back to a jubilant dressing room. To have captained this team has been a great honour and a privilege. Their spirit and their will to win is just magnificent. This league campaign surely proved that beyond a doubt. It is a great day for Shannon.

But Shannon's success goes beyond those who represent the club on the field. They have a great back-up team and a coach in Niall O'Donovan, whose achievements, like those of his players, stand apart.

"It was a heart stopper for a while," he said. "Old Crescent played really well in the first half, they stretched our defence and scored three tries in that period. We never expected to get anything easily and we did not. In many respects we were fortunate to be only five points down at halftime."

But then O'Donovan - is there a more personable or unassuming man in the game - got to the core of what marks Shannon out as special in this era. "Every match for us in the league has been like a cup final. Everyone wants to beat us and that is understandable.

"But time after time the players have responded and they did it again out there," he said. "The lineout was a disaster area for us in the first half, we were making mistakes and were too anxious. But as they have done so often during the league when they were behind, they came back. When this side goes behind, they know they are capable of coming back and they did it time after time.

"I was absolutely delighted with their performance and application in the second half. In many respects, I think winning the league this year was an even greater achievement than when we won it for the first time, bearing in mind the circumstances."

Old Crescent made it clear from the start that they were not out there to make up the numbers or to provide token opposition, and they proved that they are very worthy to stay in the top flight next season.

They scored a try after three minutes when second row John Forde got over the line after three free kicks and a penalty, from which they surged forward. The try was not converted.

They held Shannon in check the next 20 minutes, and did especially well in the lineout, through Forde and Dara Kirby, in particular, and Liam Toland were effective and industrious.

Their young outside-half, Darragh Brehon, made a nervous start, but once he settled, he had the confidence to move the ball wide, and at times the Shannon defence was stretched. Two great tackles by the ever vigilant Billy O'Shea twice saved Shannon.

But the defence was stretched to breaking point for the second try, scored by Fergus Walsh after a splendid movement. That try was not converted either but it was Old Crescent 10 points clear.

Shannon's response was a try from Alan McGrath after a ruck and drive by Anthony Foley. Andrew Thompson converted and there was only three points in it.

But Old Crescent hit back and Bowles got over for Old Crescent's third try, scored yet again after Old Crescent had been awarded a penalty just short of the line after McGrath had scrambled back to save from a well-placed chip by Sean Madigan and knocked the ball into touch with his hand. Once more the try was not converted.

Old Crescent were the more composed and controlled team as Shannon made mistakes. But a penalty from Thompson five minutes from the interval left five points between the sides at the break.

The second half was a vastly different tale. Shannon got their game together and the power of their pack began to assert itself, as did the astuteness of their excellent full back, Pat Murray, and their opportunism. It all combined to break Old Crescent resistance.

Thompson kicked a penalty, and now only two points were in it by the 47th minute. Three minutes later Shannon went ahead for the first time. Murray came up into the line and his beautifully placed chip was gathered in full flight by Thompson who scored wide on the left. He did not convert the try, but made a personal contribution of 13 points, and his scoring exploits in the league - 133 points - have been invaluable in Shannon's triumph.

Now ahead, Shannon stretched the advantage in the 57th minute when veteran prop Noel Healy gathered John Deegan's throw to the front of the lineout and dived over for a crucial score. Healy's reaction to the try said it all. He in so many ways epitomises the spirit of Shannon.

That score came after Murray had placed a penalty inches from the Old Crescent line.

Murray was also involved when Shannon scored their fourth try. Rory Sherrif won a lineout, Gavin Russell found Jim Galvin, whose long pass was flicked over his head by Murray to McGrath, who gathered and his run took him to the line. It was 28-15 after Thompson missed the difficult conversion.

With 12 minutes to play Shannon had done the work, another title had been secured. The power and the glory is still a Shannon preserve.