League leaders Shannon's blushes were spared thanks to an injury-time drop goal by Jim Galvin against a plucky Terenure side at Lakelands. It was a lacklustre performance by the champions, who clearly had their minds on the play-off with St Mary's.

Shannon went ahead with an Andrew Thompson penalty but Terenure replied with a try by winger Peter Walsh, who jinked inside to score under the posts. The lead was stretched as flanker Brendan Kavanagh crossed in the corner.

Two penalties on either side of half-time by Thompson cut the deficit before John Lacey scored Shannon's only try following a speculative kick into the corner by Anthony Foley. Thompson converted.

Kavanagh scored again five minutes later to move Terenure in front once more , but Shannon showed their fighting spirit and won thanks to Galvin's opportunism.

Scoring sequence: 15 mins: Thompson penalty, 0-3; 22: Walsh try, Dempsey conversion, 7-3; 24: Kavanagh try 12-3; 30: Thompson penalty, 12-6; 43: Thompson penalty, 12-9; 72: Lacey try, Thompson conversion, 12-16; 77; Kavanagh try, 17-16; 81: Galvin drop goal, 1719.

Terenure: C Clarke: G Dempsey, R O'Connor, M Smyth, P Walsh; S Cullen, D Hegarty; P Bruce, J Blaney, J Campbell, R Sheriff, M Quinn, C Potts, B Kavanagh, D O'Donoghue. Replacements: H O'Neill for O'Donoghue, C Coleman for Campbell (both 67 mins).

Shannon: B O'Shea; J Lacey, P McMahon, C McDermott, A Thompson; J Galvin, G Russell; D Costello, M McDermott, N Healy, M Galway, K Keane, K McMahon, E Halvey, A Foley. Replacements: R Ellison for C McDermott, A Quinlan for Costello, M Horan for Keane (all 52 mins), D Sheehan for O'Shea (63), J Deegan for M McDermott (67).

Referee: E Walsh (Connacht).