All-Ireland League/ Round-up: More daylight at the top of the AIB League this morning as Shannon, Garryowen and Cork Constitution all bagged their fifth wins of the campaign. So, is it all over for the rest?
Buccaneers are a genuine bet to keep it interesting as, having run Con close in Cork a few weeks back, they beat Clontarf on Saturday. New coach Geoff Moylan guided Shannon to the AIL crown in 2004 and was recently named coach for the club international against a Scottish XV in March.
"I'd give it a few more games before writing the rest off," he said. "Remember, they all have to play each other and most of the teams behind them as well. They have built up a healthy lead at the top, but it has mostly been at the expense of the bottom teams. We got a bonus point in Cork and could've beaten them. We beat ourselves that day.
"Shannon with their full complement of players are very strong, but otherwise they are beatable on the day."
Buccaneers proved the value of a genuine place-kicker as another Shannon exile, Tom Cregan, guided them past Clontarf with three penalties and a conversion of David Green's early try.
The result puts Buccs sixth on 13 points alongside Belfast Harlequins and Dungannon, who were unable to register a single score (27-0) against Shannon despite hosting them at Stevenson Park.
Con beat Lansdowne at headquarters, 33-23, while Garryowen also added the bonus point in Thomond Park after UL-Bohs were forced to play for 77 minutes with 14 players after flanker Aidan O'Gorman was sent off by referee George Clancy. Having internationals Paul Burke and Rob Henderson in midfield helped Garryowen.
Elsewhere, Ireland under-21 outhalf Jonathan Sexton added to his burgeoning reputation with a 15-point haul as St Mary's beat Belfast Harlequins 20-18. Ballymena got their season back on track with a 24-19 victory over Blackrock.
UCD moved into the fourth play-off spot by overwhelming Galwegians at Belfield, with upcoming Leinster talent Cillian Willis and Kevin McLaughlin crossing for two of an eventual six-try haul.
