ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE ROUND-UP: CLONTARF MAINTAINED their dominant position in this season's AIB league after a narrow 8-6 victory over Shannon in Thomond Park.
In the end it took a late Darragh O'Shea penalty to claim the win, which left Shannon regretting missed opportunities earlier in the match and greater second-half territorial dominance.
Neither team could escape a dour first half during which there were prolonged periods of aerial bombardment from both sides. But a try from Clontarf's Henrich Stride unlocked things somewhat and with two penalties from Tadhg Bennett, Shannon were back in the match. O'Shea's match-winning penalty arrived just four minutes from the end with Shannon a man down in the sin bin.
Second-placed Blackrock College returned to winning ways with a 29-12 win over Buccaneers. Picking up the bonus point also helped their cause as they are now five points behind Clontarf and two above third-placed St Mary's College.
Buccaneers arrived at Stradbrook out of sorts and Leinster Academy player Royce Burke Flynn laid down the winning ground with a try for the home side after only three minutes. Five tries later, with Dave Moore, Ian Madigan, Alan Henry and Shane Monaghan all adding touchdowns, and Blackrock had the game in their pockets 29-12.
St Mary's 18-6 win over visiting UL Bohemians helped get their title challenge back on the road, while their Dublin colleagues, Terenure College, helped themselves to the first win of the season with a 19-15 victory over lower middle placed Old Belvedere. Terenure led 13-10 at the interval with two drop goals in the second half from David McAllister ultimately guiding the home side to the win.
Elsewhere UCD fell at home to Ballymena 6-16 while a stylish performance from Dolphin earned them a 29-14 win over Galwegians at Crowley Park. Garryowen got the better of Cork Constitution in their clash in Dooradoyle but by just a point. The kicking of Conor Kilroy was vital, his four penalties ultimately giving Garryowen a 20-19 win.
